TN seeks Rs 2,479 cr damages from K'taka on Cauvery dispute

The Tamil Nadu government has approached the Supreme Court seeking around Rs 2,500 crore from Karnataka for loss of crops due to non-release of Cauvery water during the irrigation year 2012-13 as per the interim award of the Cauvery water disputes tribunal. Tamil Nadu has sought Rs 1,045.7 crore towards loss of crops, bio-mass and power generation due to non-release of water as per the Interim Order and Rs 1,434 crore as punitive damages for "deliberate non-compliance" of the decision passed by the tribunal.

"It is most respectfully prayed that this court may be pleased to pass a judgement and decree against the state of Karnataka to pay damages of a sum of about Rs 1,045.7 crore towards loss of crops, loss of bio-mass and loss of power generation, on account of non-release of water during the irrigation year 2012-13 as per pro rata share of water as per the interim order dated June 25, 1991," the suit said.

Tamil Nadu also pleaded before the apex court to direct Karnataka to release 53.18 TMC ft water to it at Mettur Reservoir.

"The present suit is instituted primarily to seek and recover damages caused to the state of Tamil Nadu and its inhabitants by the illegal and contumacious conduct of the state of Karnataka in failing to comply with the binding decision of the Cauvery water disputes tribunal as notified by the Centre on December 10, 1991 and subsequent orders dated April 3, 1992 and December 19, 1995 of the tribunal with regard to directions for release of waters and to make good the deficit," the petition said.