Cauvery dispute: Karnataka passes resolution to block release of water to Tamil Nadu

Karnataka's Legislative Council passed a resolution to only release water for the purpose of meeting basic concerns of Bengaluru and Cauvery basin on Friday. In a move that may set the state on a collision course with the judiciary, a special session of both Houses of Karnataka legislature was held to take a call on the Supreme Court's direction to the state to release 6,000 cusecs of Cauvery water per day to Tamil Nadu.

Amid raging row over sharing of Cauvery water, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday met Union minister Uma Bharti and explained to her his state's "difficulty" in releasing the quantum of water to Tamil Nadu as per Supreme Court order, which he termed as "unfair".

The Cauvery Supervisory Committee had on September 19 asked Karnataka to release 3,000 cusecs per day from September 21 to 30, but the Apex Court had on September 20 doubled the quantum to 6,000 cusecs from September 21 to 27 after Tamil Nadu pressed for water to save its samba paddy crop.

It had also directed the Centre to constitute within four weeks the Cauvery Water Management Board as directed by Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal in its award.

In Tamil Nadu, Opposition party DMK on Thursday urged the state government to follow suit and discuss the next course of action over the water sharing.