Within a few hours of filing a petition with the Supreme Court of India seeking more time to respond on the issue of putting in place a ‘scheme’ to ensure fair distribution of Cauvery water, the BJP-led Centre withdrew the same apparently at the behest of its Attorney-General.

The apex Court had earlier directed the Centre to put in place a ‘scheme’ or an action-plan within six weeks to implement the verdict of the Cauvery River Water Disputes Tribunal’s 2007 verdict.  However, the Centre filed a petition with the Court to explain the implication of the word ‘scheme’ in its February 16 verdict which reduced the quantum of water to be given to Tamil Nadu annually from 192 TMC to 177.25 TMC.

It also sought three months’ time to implement the verdict.  In the meantime, Govt. of Tamil Nadu filed a ‘contempt of Court’ case against the Centre for not implementing the apex Court’s orders.  Taking up this petition, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to file with it by 03rd May (next Thursday) a draft action-plan to implement its above-said verdict.

With just six days to go for the deadline, the Centre filed a fresh petition with the apex Court stating that it needed two more weeks to file a detailed draft action plan on the issue.  However, within a few hours of filing the petition, the Centre withdrew the same, apparently at the behest of its attorney-general, indicating that it may file a draft action plan by the deadline i.e. by next Thursday.