Key Cauvery verdict today, Tension in TN, Karnataka

New Delhi: With the Supreme Court set to pronounce its verdict on the vexed Cauvery water dispute between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, there is an air of anticipation in both the state. To offset the possibility of violence,the police have been deployed in large numbers.

The verdict would be pronounced by the bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Mishra and comprising Justices Amitava Roy and AM Khanwilkar. He hearing ended last year and the verdict would be pronounced today.

The dispute is 120 years old and pertains to Tamil Nadu’s request in 2007 for a change in the water sharing agreement. While Tamil Nadu wants a fixed amount of water to be released, Karnataka wants to release water as per the availability.

In 2007, the river water tribunal allocated 280 tmc to Tamil Nadu and 6 tmc to Puducherry. Karnataka wants the allocations to Tamil Nadu to be halved, while Tamil Nadu wants it to be doubled. Karnataka contends that there isn’t enough water suppy in the four dams built on Cauvery in Karnataka and that it needs water to address the drinking water needs of  two of its major cities – Bengaluru and Mysore.

The Supreme Court verdict might lead to further tensions as it is election year in Karnataka. The tottering Palanisamy government too might use it to consolidate its position in Tamil Nadu.