In the latest update, the Supreme Court has ordered Karnataka to stop defying its orders. It also asked them to confirm by 2 pm tomorrow, if it has released 6000 cusecs water from the River Cauvery to neighbor Tamil Nadu.

After the judgment by the Supreme Court, the Karnataka state cabinet will hold a special legislature session on Monday to discuss the verdict of the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, the Centre sought modification of the apex court order to set up Cauvery Water Management Board.

On Saturday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told media in Bengaluru after a Cabinet meeting that "a decision was also taken to file a review petition in Supreme Court on Monday against the formation of Cauvery Management Board. Karnataka had been the ‘victim’ and not the ‘villain’ in the Cauvery dispute."

The CM said "notices to the other two riparian parties of the Cauvery river, Kerala and Puducherry were not issued on the formation of the Board. He also mentioned that Inter-State Water Dispute Act of 1956 stipulates that any water board should be ratified by Parliament. There is no wilful disobedience of the apex court order in the case, as the government is bound by the resolution of the legislature. The petition seeks review of the apex court’s order directing the Central Government to form the Cauvery Management Board as the state government claims that it goes against the apex court’s earlier order dated December 3, 2013, to put on hold the formation of the Board till the civil appeal was decided. It was also decided in the cabinet not to nominate any member from Karnataka to the board."

The state government has also sent a proposal to take a delegation to the President on the Cauvery issue. They also asked for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention which is mandate as it may also come up for discussion in both houses of the state assembly on Monday.

The Opposition BJP and JD (S) have suggested to the state government not to release the water to Tamil Nadu. They have also opposed the Supreme Court’s direction to establish the Water Board.

Also Read: Karnataka: PIL Filed in Madras High Court for Tamils Safety

BY M. DIVYA SRI