New Delhi: Observing that the Centre was in “sheer contempt” for not framing a scheme on sharing of Cauvery water among the four riparian States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Union Territory of Puducherry, the Supreme Court on Tuesday summoned the water resources secretary on May 14.
A three-judge Bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A.M. Kanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud refused to accept the submission of attorney-general K.K. Venugopal that the ‘scheme’ was ready and would be placed before the court after it is approved by the Union Cabinet which would be done expeditiously.
The Bench told the AG that once the judgment has been delivered, it has to be implemented. It is the obligation of the Centre to put in place a scheme by now as per the February 16 judgment. “Not doing so is a sheer contempt of this court,” the CJI said. “We want the union water resources Secretary to personally appear in the court on May 14 and he will come with a draft scheme.”
