New Delhi:
The Centre's lawyer told the top court that the government needs time to file a proper reply on the issue and the date for conveying the Cauvery River Authority, headed by the PM, hasn't been fixed. The court asked the Centre for an explanation for not fixing the date. The Centre replied that letters have been written to the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry to fix a meeting.
The Supreme Court slammed the Centre, saying, "It is surprising and shocking that you require consent of the states for even fixing the date for the meeting. For fixing a date, it requires convenience of the PM or the convenience of states?"
The Tamil Nadu government told the court that the letter sent to the Chief Minister was written by an official in the water resources ministry and the Centre is not serious on this issue.
"It is shocking. It seems officers in PMO have not seen the affidavit filed by Karnataka. Karnataka's affidavit used serious words. We expressed our anguish on that the last hearing itself. Only our blood pressure is raised. Please call senior officers. PMO may not be aware of this. We are short of words because it involves the highest functionary," the Supreme Court said.
The Supreme Court has fixed the September 7 as the next date for the hearing. It has also asked the Additional Solicitor General to consult officers and inform the court on the meeting of the Cauvery River Authority.
The Supreme Court was hearing Tamil Nadu's plea for convening the Cauvery River Authority to decide release of water by Karnataka during distress months.
The Supreme Court today pulled up the Prime Minister's Office over the Cauvery water dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
The Centre's lawyer told the top court that the government needs time to file a proper reply on the issue and the date for conveying the Cauvery River Authority, headed by the PM, hasn't been fixed. The court asked the Centre for an explanation for not fixing the date. The Centre replied that letters have been written to the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Puducherry to fix a meeting.
The Supreme Court slammed the Centre, saying, "It is surprising and shocking that you require consent of the states for even fixing the date for the meeting. For fixing a date, it requires convenience of the PM or the convenience of states?"
The Tamil Nadu government told the court that the letter sent to the Chief Minister was written by an official in the water resources ministry and the Centre is not serious on this issue.
"It is shocking. It seems officers in PMO have not seen the affidavit filed by Karnataka. Karnataka's affidavit used serious words. We expressed our anguish on that the last hearing itself. Only our blood pressure is raised. Please call senior officers. PMO may not be aware of this. We are short of words because it involves the highest functionary," the Supreme Court said.
The Supreme Court has fixed the September 7 as the next date for the hearing. It has also asked the Additional Solicitor General to consult officers and inform the court on the meeting of the Cauvery River Authority.
The Supreme Court was hearing Tamil Nadu's plea for convening the Cauvery River Authority to decide release of water by Karnataka during distress months.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
