The apex court also directed the authorities in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to maintain peace in the states.
The Central government was reprimanded by the Supreme Court today for ignoring its orders on the Cauvery River, which ask for more water to be given to Karnataka and has upset Tamil Nadu.
Judges of the apex court on Monday suggested that the Centre is acting in guile; “the Centre knows what the scheme means”, the judges said, as they ordered the governments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu to ensure peace in their states till the court finalises the scheme for implementation of its judgment.
The Centre was asked to file its draft scheme by May 3 in pursuance of its judgment in the Cauvery water dispute case.
The distribution of water between neighbouring southern states has been a contentious issue for decades and has turned politically volatile ahead of the assembly elections in Karnataka which will vote on May 12.
The Centre had argued for more time to work out the modalities of water-sharing, citing the Karnataka election.
The apex court said it considered the CWDT (Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal) award and decided the water share for states, which has to be complied with.
Upset Tamil Nadu leaders including actors-turned-politicians Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan have expressed their disappointment over the delay in the setting up of the Cauvery Management Board by the government, as directed by the Supreme Court.
