A recent newspaper report states, "With Tamil Nadu and Karnataka failing to agree on how much Kaveri water should be released by Karnataka, the Supreme Court will now decide whether Tamil Nadu’s plea for the release of 30 thousand million cubic feet of water between Dec 1 and 15 is feasible."
Why do the State Governments have disputes which reach the Supreme Court? Is there not a better method for solving such disputes which are acceptable to all?
Ans. The disputes reach the Supreme Court as the State Governments are not able to setde their disputes to their mutual satisfaction. Tribunals have been appointed by the Government of India for setdement of every inter-state water dispute, but the State Governments do not always agree with the recommendations of the tribunals and that is why they go to the cotlrts. This is more often the case in times of water scarcity.
What the State Governments should have done is to negotiate between themselves at the time when water is scarce and amicably setde the matter without going to the courts. .