New Delhi: The Supreme Court today ordered release of 2.44 TMC, or thousand million cubic feet, of Cauvery water from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu to irrigate the state's winter crops. The water sanctioned is based on the recommendations of an expert panel and far less than the 9 TMC demanded by Tamil Nadu.
The top court rejected Tamil Nadu's objections to the findings of the expert panel and directed Karnataka to release the water immediately.
The panel, appointed by the Supreme Court, had visited Tamil Nadu and yesterday recommended release of 2.44 TMC of water for standing crops on one lakh acres.
Tamil Nadu had claimed the panel's assessment was inaccurate and the state needs 9 TMC to cover six lakh acres of farmland.
Karnataka had argued that Tamil Nadu did not need water from the Cauvery at all as its crops had either been harvested or was about to be harvested.