CHENNAI/THANJAVUR: Jubilant farmers in Tamil Nadu applauded the Supreme Court verdict to form the Cauvery Management Board and Cauvery Regulation Committee, a decade-long demand since the order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal in 2007, ignored by successive UPA and BJP governments.
P. Maniarasan, convenor of the Cauvery Rights Retrieval Committee comprising political parties and farmers bodies, said the tribunal had clearly given the guidelines to form the CMB as per the Bhakranangal board model and Tamil Nadu government watch every step of Karnataka to subvert the apex court order.
"Though delayed, we can be happy. The increase in quantum of water is also comforting. It is the responsibility of the centre to see that no harm is done to the Tamils in Karnataka following the judgment and steps should be taken for their protection", he said.
Mannargudi Ranganathan, who initiated the fight for Cauvery in the early 70s, said Karnataka government could try to divert the remaining water to deny water to Tamil Nadu and centre should monitor the dams in Karnataka.
P.R. Pandian, who formed the Cauvery Struggle Committee recently, said the SC order would bring cheer to the farmers. The Supreme Court had correctly pointed out that the centre's failure to form the board had resulted in violence and prolonged disputes. He also thanked the political leaders, traders and farmers too took part in the struggle.
