H D Deve Gowda says, formation of expert panel for distribution of Cauvery water will affect Karnataka

Bengaluru: Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda on Friday said the proposed formation of an expert panel for distribution of Cauvery water between riparian states would not be in the interests of the State, especially when the three-judge bench of the Supreme Court is set to start hearing the State’s petition questioning the tribunal award, from J

In separate letters to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Karnataka’s counsel in the Supreme Court Fali S. Nariman, he has warned of an adverse impact on the State if the expert committee is formed.

The Union Ministry of Water Resources had proposed setting up an expert committee to address issues related to Cauvery water dispute.

He said the 8th supervisory committee meeting on February 17, 2017, discused the issue of distress sharing and proposed to constitute a group of experts to address the issue. He, however, said the functions for the proposed expert committee were totally different, and not in accordance with the discussions held by the supervisory committee.

“It looks like the Union government is in a hurry to resolve the water dispute without giving any consideration to various contentions of Karnataka made in its SLP filed before the Supreme Court in 2007.”