CMB: Union water resources ministry to seek Cabinet's advice

Chennai: Union water resources ministry will soon take up the issue of constitution of Cauvery Management Board to the “highest level” of the Narendra Modi government for a final decision on the sensitive issue. The need arose after the Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Union government to set up the CMB within four weeks while hearing a petition related to release of Cauvery water.

“The Supreme Court order has come only on Tuesday and it is is only Wednesday today. The issue of constitution of CMB will be taken to the highest level in the government and any decision taken by the Government has to be approved by the Union Cabinet,” Union water resources secretary Shashi Shekhar told DC.

Mr Shekhar said any decision on setting up of the CMB has to come from the top brass of the government and the Ministry cannot unilaterally decide. “We will consult legal experts, officials concerned and authorities involved in the process before arriving at a decision,” Mr Shekhar said, adding that the issue would be discussed threadbare before a decision is arrived at.

Since the issue is “quite sensitive” and involves two states, who have been fighting for the rights of the Cauvery river water for several decades now, the Government would not rush into a decision, but at the same time cannot draw the contempt of the SC by defying its direction, top government sources said.
The sources said since the deadline imposed by the Supreme Court is “very specific”, the government needs to study precedents and also keep in mind the consequences of its decision — whether to constitute the CMB within the deadline or seek more time from the apex court.

Another line of thinking within the Narendra Modi government is that since the apex court, which has been hearing the Cauvery case, has directed it to constitute the board there will be no legal hassles. “Since it is a highly sensitive and political issue, the call has to be political and has to come from the top,” the sources said.

Meanwhile, Central Water Commission chairman G.S. Jha said water management boards could be an ideal option for resolving water disputes like Cauvery between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.