D.O. Letter No.14722/C.Spl.1/2015
The Government of Tamil Nadu Public Works Department, through Chief Secretary K. Gnanadesikan, issued D.O. Letter No.14722/C.Spl.1/2015 dated 15 September 2015 to the Chief Secretary to the Government of Karnataka. The letter disputes Karnataka's claim that 2015 to 2016 was a distress water year and requests Karnataka to make good a Cauvery water release shortfall of 38.516 TMC ft. and continue releases under the Final Order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.
What the letter concerns
D.O. Letter No.14722/C.Spl.1/2015 dated 15 September 2015 is an intergovernmental communication from K. Gnanadesikan, Chief Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu, under the Public Works Department, to Kaushik Mukherjee, Chief Secretary to the Government of Karnataka. It concerns Karnataka's release of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu at the Billigundulu Gauge and Discharge Station.
The letter does not create or change rules concerning land ownership, property registration, land classification or individual land records. Its subject is compliance with Cauvery water release requirements.
Tamil Nadu's position
The Government of Tamil Nadu states that the flow realised at Billigundulu as on 13 September 2015 was 72.817 TMC ft., against the prescribed 111.333 TMC ft. It calculates the shortfall as 38.516 TMC ft.
Key points made in the letter are:
- Indian Meteorological Department information showed normal rainfall in the Cauvery catchment in South Interior Karnataka, with a deviation of only minus 1 per cent as on 9 September 2015.
- Tamil Nadu therefore rejected Karnataka's description of the water year as a distress year.
- The Final Order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal defines the irrigation season as running from 1 June to 31 January of the following year.
- Tamil Nadu alleged that Karnataka used water for summer irrigation during 2014 to 2015 instead of carrying storage forward.
- The Tribunal's earlier direction was described as requiring weekly deficiencies to be made good in later weeks, with unresolved deficits adjusted before the close of the relevant season.
- Monthly deliveries were to be ensured through 10 day intervals at Billigundulu.
Requested action and practical relevance
D.O. Letter No.14722/C.Spl.1/2015 asks the Government of Karnataka to instruct its officials to make good the 38.516 TMC ft. shortfall recorded as on 13 September 2015. It also asks Karnataka to ensure further releases in the coming months according to the Final Order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.
For a Tamil Nadu property buyer or owner, the letter has no stated direct effect on title, patta, registration or development rights. It may be relevant as an official record of Tamil Nadu's position on Cauvery water availability and interstate releases in September 2015.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Does this letter change my land title, patta or property registration?
No such change is stated. D.O. Letter No.14722/C.Spl.1/2015 concerns Cauvery water releases and does not contain provisions about land title, patta or property registration.
How much Cauvery water shortfall did Tamil Nadu claim?
The Government of Tamil Nadu claimed a shortfall of 38.516 TMC ft. as on 13 September 2015, based on 72.817 TMC ft. realised against 111.333 TMC ft. prescribed.
Why did Tamil Nadu reject Karnataka's distress year claim?
The letter cites Indian Meteorological Department information showing normal rainfall in South Interior Karnataka, with only minus 1 per cent deviation as on 9 September 2015.
What action did Tamil Nadu request from Karnataka?
Tamil Nadu requested Karnataka to make good the 38.516 TMC ft. shortfall and ensure further releases in the coming months under the Final Order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.
