Cauvery verdict: K'taka calls legislature session on Oct 3 to find solution

Bengaluru: The state legislature will meet over a special session for the second time in 11 days on October 3--this time to take a call on release of Cauvery water to save withering crops in the basin region, and clearly, also a move which would  ensure compliance with the Supreme Court's order, albeit in a subtle manner, on flow of water to Tamil Nadu.

The decision on another special session was taken by the council of ministers late on Saturday after all parties told the state government to stand by the resolution adopted by both Houses of legislature on September 23 that water should be used only to quench the thirst of people in the basin area and Bengaluru.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told the media about the second special of legislature, adding that his government never “willfully and deliberately” defied the order of the apex court but had only expressed helplessness in view of low storage levels in four reservoirs in the basin. He reiterated that the state government would not be in a position to release 6,000 cusecs every day for six days as per the order of the apex court on September 30.

Emerging out of a long-drawn all-party meeting earlier in the day, leaders of BJP and JD(S) said they told the government to stick to the resolution adopted by both Houses of  legislature on September 23 and to oppose formation of the Cauvery Water Management Board (CWMB) as well.