The Karnataka Assembly today unanimously adopted a resolution urging the Centre not to notify the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) until a national water policy was evolved. The resolution moved by Opposition leader Dharam Singh and seconded by JD(U) floor leader J C Madhuswamy, also decided to continue a legal battle to protect the interests of the state.“The CWDT’s final verdict is detrimental to the interests of the state. Since it is not practical to implement the final award, the Centre should not notify the final verdict until a national water policy was evolved, through which all such inter-state water disputes should be tackled,” the notification said. It further said: “In the interests of state farmers and considering drinking water requirements of Bangalore and other towns, the state should continue legal and Constitutional battle besides urging the Centre to come to the state’s rescue in the wake of repeated droughts.”Earlier, members cutting across party lines criticised the final award and urged the government to prevail upon the Centre not to notify the award. Besides, members also urged the Centre to evolve a national water policy for effectively dealing all inter-state water disputes.Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today said that immediate notification of the final verdict of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal would not be possible as per the legal provisions.
