Chennai: Representatives of farmers in Tamil Nadu asked the centre to respect the Constitution of India and judicial system of the country and not to endanger the unity of the country for political gains in Karnataka.
P. Maniarasan, convenor of Cauvery Rights Retrieval Committee rejected the contention of the central government that a court could not hear a petition on a water dispute under section 11 of Water Disputes Act 1956. Under the act, the courts have no powers to hear only cases that are pending before a tribunal.
The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal had already given a verdict and the court had only asked the centre to implement the tribunal’s order.
As per section 6 (2) of the act, a verdict given by the tribunal and issued in the gazette is equivalent to a Supreme Court order and the centre is duty bound to act on it.
Tiruchy farmers union leader Ayyakannu said the farmers in Tamil Nadu were hopeful that the CMB would be formed and their problems would be solved.
But, the Centre had come in the way at the last minute to deny the rights of Tamil Nadu.
P.R. Pandian, convenor of the Cauvery Struggle Committee asked the political parties to protest unitedly for the formation of the CMB.
