Lok Sabha Question No. 103 (STARRED), answered on 2023-07-27
Subject: Release of Cauvery River Water to Tamil Nadu
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Andimuthu Raja, A. Ganeshamurthi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. *103

ANSWERED ON 27.07.2023

## RELEASE OF CAUVERY RIVER WATER TO TAMIL NADU

- *103 SHRI A. RAJA

SHRI A. GANESHAMURTHI

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a) the quantum of Cauvery river water released by the State of Karnataka to Tamil Nadu during the last six months as per the Supreme Court order, month-wise;
- (b)  whether  the  State  of  Tamil  Nadu  represented  to  the  Union  Government  for  urging  the  State  of Karnataka to release the full share of water, as per the agreement;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the response of the Union Government in this regard; and
- (d) the measures taken for release of previous months deficiency in thousand million cubic and to ensure timely release of water for irrigation purpose to Tamil Nadu Delta region?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

( SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU )

(a) to (d) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION  NO.  *103  TO  BE  ANSWERED  ON  27.07.2023  REGARDING  'RELEASE  OF CAUVERY RIVER WATER TO TAMIL NADU'.

- (a) As  per  the  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  order  dated  16.02.2018,  State  of  Karnataka  is  required  to release 177.25 thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of water at the inter-State border with Tamil Nadu, i.e., at Billigundulu in a normal year. The details of stipulated flows to be realized and the quantum of water realized at Billigundulu during the last six months are as given below in the table.
- (b) A  letter  dated  19.07.2023  from  Hon'ble  Chief  Minister  of  Tamil  Nadu  requesting  Hon'ble Minister (Jal Shakti), Government of India to direct the CWMA to issue directions to Karnataka to abide by the monthly schedule prescribed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court and also make good the shortfall and another letter dated 03.07.2023 from Hon'ble Minister for Water Resources, Government of Tamil Nadu requesting Hon'ble Minister (Jal Shakti), Government of India to instruct State of Karnataka to release the prescribed quantity of water in the month of July and also to make good the shortfall occurred in the month  of  June  2023  immediately  was  received.  A  letter  from  Additional  Chief  Secretary  WRD, Government of Tamil Nadu of similar nature was received to Chairman, Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA).
- (c)  &  (d) Cauvery  Water Management Authority (CWMA) vide letter dated 04.07.2023 requested Additional Chief Secretary, WRD, Govt. of Karnataka to take necessary and timely measures to realize stipulated  flows  at  Billigundulu  during  the  current  water  year  2023-24,  as  per  the  final  award  of  the CWDT, as modified by the Hon'ble Supreme Court.

|               | Flow (TMC)      | Flow (TMC)                |
|---------------|-----------------|---------------------------|
| Months        | Stipulated flow | Realized Flow             |
| January 2023  | 2.76            | 7.375                     |
| February 2023 | 2.50            | 4.512                     |
| March 2023    | 2.50            | 4.305                     |
| April 2023    | 2.50            | 2.992                     |
| May 2023      | 2.50            | 8.467                     |
| June 2023     | 9.19            | 2.833                     |
| July 2023     | 31.24           | 1.7193 (as on 25.07.2023) |

The  matter  was  also  deliberated  in  the  82 nd meeting  of  Cauvery  Water  Regulation  Committee (CWRC) held on 14 th July  2023.  The  committee noted  the cumulative  observed flow at  Billigundulu between 01.06.2023 to 12.07.2023 is only 3.379 TMC in the current water year 2023-24 and requested the Member/Representative from the State of Karnataka in the committee to make good the realization at Billigundulu in the forthcoming months.

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