Can't give more Cauvery water, says Karnataka; Tamil Nadu moves SC

New Delhi: The Tamil Nadu government on Monday moved the Supreme Court over Karnataka’s contention that it cannot release additional 4 tmc of Cauvery water as already more water has already been allotted.

The Siddaramaiah government, earlier on Monday, filed an affidavit in the apex court saying that it has already released around 16 tmc excess water to Tamil Nadu and won't be able to share any more as it barely has enough to fulfil its own needs.

The submission comes in wake of the top court directing Karnataka to release 4 tmc of water to Tamil Nadu.

Read: Release 4 tmc Cauvery water to TN or face consequences: SC to Karnataka

"There is a total of nine tmc water in all the four reservoirs coming under the Cauvery basin. That is not enough for our drinking needs and crops. We have a shortage," Karnataka Water Resources Minister MB Patil had told reporters last week.

Also Read: We have shortage: Karnataka on SC's order to release Cauvery water to TN

Tamil Nadu has now sought the top court's intervention for the release of water due to the state while reiterating its demand that the Cauvery Board be set up at the earliest, a report in NDTV said.

D Jayakumar, Tamil Nadu Fisheries Minister, said, "Let them (Karnataka) say whatever they have to say. We have faith in the Supreme Court and Karnataka will have to release waters according to the court's order."

The Supreme Court will take up the case on Tuesday.

In a landmark verdict on February 16, the Supreme Court directed Karnataka to release 177.25 tmc of water to Tamil Nadu from its inter-state Biligundlu dam, thereby increasing the share of Karnataka by 14.75 tmc.

Also Read: SC Cauvery verdict: TN share reduced, K'taka gets additional 14.75 tmc water

The court had also ordered setting up of a regulatory body, the Cauvery Management Board, that would monitor the release of Cauvery river water to Tamil Nadu by Karnataka by March 29.

The deadline expired, and the board is yet to be set up. The delay has been attributed to the Karnataka assembly elections later this week.

Also Read: PM Modi busy with Karnataka polls, says Centre after SC's Cauvery order