CAUVERY ROW - Can't wait for Karnataka govt for draft: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected Karnataka's plea to defer finalisation of the draft scheme on Cauvery water management since formation of a new government was pending. The SC also directed the Centre to modify certain provisions in the draft scheme that gave it the power to have the final word in matters of dispute between the four stakeholder states. The SC, however, approved the rest of the draft scheme and directed the Centre to submit it for approval on Thursday.

The SC bench did not heed submissions of senior advocate Shyam Divan, who was representing Karnataka, that finalisation of the draft Cauvery scheme be put on hold till the first week of July as the process of government formation was underway in the state.

"All the states concerned are making submissions to the draft scheme. I am requesting for adjournment till the first week of July as I do not have the assistance and instruction from the council of ministers of Karnataka," Divan said.

Rejecting the argument, the bench also directed modification in clause 14 of Para 9, which stated that if the authority to be formed for implementing the tribunal award and SC order finds any of the stakeholder states not cooperating, then it can seek the help of the central government whose decision in the matter will be final and binding on all parties. The SC bench said in place of "whose decision in the matter will be final and binding on all parties", it should be replaced by "for implementation of the award of Tribunal as modified by Supreme Court order of February 16."