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The Supreme Court on Thursday sought the response of Karnataka to Tamil Nadu's application seeking directions for release of water to make good the alleged shortfall in Karnataka's supply of Cauvery water to the neighbouring State.

A bench of Justice Vikram Nath, Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Vijay Bishnoi directed the respondents to file their response within a week and posted the matter for hearing in October.

Tamil Nadu has claimed that Karnataka owes it around 16 TMC of water as a shortfall during the current irrigation year. In its application, Tamil Nadu has sought directions for the release of the deficit water on a pro-rata basis.

Appearing for Tamil Nadu, Senior Advocate CS Vaidyanathan submitted that the State's shortfall was not being made good and that the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) had not passed any order specifically addressing the deficit.

"My shortfall is not being made good. CWMA is not passing any order in regard to that," Vaidyanathan submitted.

The Bench sought clarification on the quantum of the alleged shortfall. Vaidyanathan said Tamil Nadu assessed the deficit at around 20 TMC, while Karnataka's assessment was around 16 TMC. He submitted that despite Tamil Nadu raising the issue before the CWMA, the Authority had not addressed the deficit and had instead been issuing directions for release of smaller quantities.

Senior Advocate Shyam Divan, appearing for Karnataka, opposed the plea, submitting that Karnataka had released water in excess of the quantities directed by the CWMA despite facing a drought-like situation.

"This is a drought situation. CWMA is an expert body. It knows exactly what's happening," Divan submitted.

He said Karnataka had complied with the CWMA's directions despite the difficult circumstances and contended that the issue should be dealt with by the statutory authority rather than the Supreme Court.

Divan submitted that the CWMA had considered the historical position of Karnataka's reservoirs, the declining trend in inflows and the rainfall forecast while dealing with the situation. He also pointed out that the monsoon was retreating and Karnataka had little expectation of rainfall from the northeast monsoon, while Tamil Nadu would have the advantage of the northeast monsoon.

Justice Mehta observed that the parties' right to have their grievances considered by the CWMA could not be denied.

"They have raised a deficit issue. CWMA take a call on that," the Court observed.

The Court ultimately directed Karnataka to file its response to Tamil Nadu's application within a week and listed the matter in October.

Tamil Nadu had earlier approached the Supreme Court seeking enforcement of the CWMA's direction requiring Karnataka to ensure a release of 6,000 cusecs daily from September 9 to September 23, besides seeking directions to make good the water shortfall accumulated during the preceding period.

Case: MA 2445/2026 in C.A. No. 2453/2007 Diary No. 46527 / 2026 STATE OF TAMIL NADU Vs STATE OF KARNATAKA

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