Stalin seeks Centre's intervention on release of Cauvery water to TN

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin has sought Union jal shakti minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat's intervention to direct the Karnataka government to release the state's share of Cauvery water, as per a monthly schedule prescribed by the Supreme Court.

- Divya Chandrababu

In a letter to the Union minister on Wednesday, Stalin said the release of water was crucial for the standing Kuruvai, a key crop for farmers at Cauvery delta.

State water resources minister Durai Murugan, who handed over the letter to Shekhawat on Thursday, told reporters in Delhi: "He (Shekhawat) assured us that he will give instructions to Karnataka to release water and implement a water distribution system during times of water scarcity."

The Tamil Nadu government's move came days after Karnataka said it will not be able to release the former's due share because to a water deficit.

In his letter, Stalin urged Shekhawat to direct the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) to order Karnataka to abide by a monthly schedule prescribed by the Supreme Court in 2018 on the release of water.