Union Road Transport Minister Pon Radhakrishnan has stated that the Supreme Court of India’s verdict (delivered last Friday) on the Cauvery River water row was personally ‘disappointing’ to him.

While disposing off four States’ review petitions challenging the 2007 verdict of the Cauvery River Water Disputes Tribunal, the Supreme Court not only said that Cauvery or any other river can’t be an exclusive property of any State as rivers are national properties. It also reduced the quantum of water to be given to Tamil Nadu to 177.25 TMC from the 192 TMC specified by the Tribunal.

The verdict, however, allocated more water to meet Karnataka’s needs. Farmers in particular and people in general in Tamil Nadu had been feeling disappointed by the apex Court’s verdict as they say that Tamil Nadu’s rights had been eroded.

Speaking to newsmen yesterday at Madurai Airport, Ponnar expressed similar feelings. Queried about the verdict of the top Court in the Cauvery water row, Ponnar responded by stating that he was personally ‘disappointed’ and pained by the verdict. “The verdict certainly hasn’t gladdened our hearts,” he remarked.