Political leaders have bemoaned the Supreme Court’s latest directive on the Cauvery issue, fearing it could pave the way for further delay in Tamil Nadu getting its due share of Cauvery water.

“The apex court’s proposal for a draft scheme would only delay the process further. If the court was in agreement with the final verdict of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, save for the quantum of water for each State, then where was the need for a separate scheme and a draft [of the scheme], when the Cauvery Management Board had already been spelt out? The ruling is not fair and is contradictory. Our united struggle would continue,” CPI(M) State secretary K. Balakrishnan told The Hindu.

CPI State secretary R. Mutharasan said the SC had only facilitated the Central government’s intention to delay the implementation of the final verdict of the Cauvery tribunal.

On a positive note, S. Ranganathan, general secretary of the Cauvery Delta Farmers’ Welfare Association, said, “We are extremely glad about the Supreme Court’s directive and its refusal to grant the Centre’s request for an extension of time. The court has also made it clear that its order is based on the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal’s final award, which has been merged with the decree.”