Both Karnataka, TN facing water shortage: SC panel

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the Supreme Court taking up hearing of the Cauvery river water sharing dispute on Tuesday, a high-level government panel held that both Karnataka

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the Supreme Court taking up hearing of the Cauvery river water sharing dispute on Tuesday, a high-level government panel held that both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu were facing water shortage and recommended doing away with “outdated and unscientific” water application techniques to resolve the issue.

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The expert panel, set up at the direction of the apex court, was mandated to visit the Cauvery river basin areas to assess the ground situation in the two states. The court is likely to consider the report on Tuesday.

“The infrastructure to deliver water to the farmers is centuries old and has very low conveyance efficiency. This needs to be modernised for optimal use of scarce water,” the report said.

The panel noted the plight of farmers in both states and said, “In the absence of required water, the labour employment for farming and fishing is also limited, creating a scenario of unemployment and financial hardship for them.”

The expert panel said, “Both the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu need to appreciate interest of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in protection of their established irrigation and Karnataka’s aspirations for development respectively and should educate their people accordingly.”