What happened (Rajya Sabha clarification on Mekedatu consent)
The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti stated in the Rajya Sabha that a February 2018 Supreme Court judgment in the Cauvery context does not require Karnataka to obtain consent from lower riparian States before constructing structures related to the Mekedatu balancing reservoir across the Cauvery river.
Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary made the clarification in response to a Rajya Sabha question about whether the February 2018 Supreme Court verdict required Karnataka’s consent from other riparian States.
Rajya Sabha MP Anbumani Ramadoss (Pattali Makkal Katchi) had framed the February 2018 Supreme Court verdict as requiring Karnataka to take consent from other riparian States, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
Raj Bhushan Choudhary stated that the February 2018 Supreme Court judgment contains no mention of any requirement for Karnataka to obtain such consent from lower riparian States.
Background: Karnataka’s stated position on effect on Tamil Nadu’s water share
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