PMK urges Centre to replace Cauvery Management Authority with empowered board

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader Anbumani Ramadoss on Thursday (July 23, 2026) criticised the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) for refusing to direct Karnataka to release Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, and demanded that it be replaced with an empowered Cauvery Management Board.

In a statement, Dr. Anbumani said the CWMA had accepted Karnataka’s claim that the available water was only sufficient for Bengaluru’s drinking water needs and had declined Tamil Nadu’s request to release water to protect kuruvai crops. He said Karnataka had released only 3.44 tmc ft. of the 28.30 tmc ft. due to Tamil Nadu since June.

Alleging Karnataka’s reservoirs held sufficient water to release Tamil Nadu’s share, Dr. Anbumani said the CWMA lacked the authority to enforce its decisions or act against violations.

He urged the Union government to constitute a Cauvery Management Board, as envisaged by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, with powers to regulate reservoir operations and water releases. He also called on the Tamil Nadu government to press the Centre on the issue and approach the Supreme Court if necessary.