Tamil Nadu justifies Cauvery water demand using pro-rata sharing principle

Tamil Nadu submitted its rationale to the Cauvery Waters Authority, arguing that the state's claim for the accumulated water backlog is based on proportional distribution of actual flows received, a concept that has been previously referenced in water-sharing disputes. The pro-rata principle allocates available water resources in proportion to each state's entitlement during periods of water scarcity or stress.

The state's submission drew on precedent established by the Cauvery Tribunal and subsequent Supreme Court judgements, which have cited pro-rata distribution as the appropriate mechanism for managing water allocation during times of distress. This framework ensures that each riparian state receives its fair share based on established proportions when water availability falls below normal levels.

The 16 tmc ft backlog represents accumulated shortfalls in water supplies that Tamil Nadu claims it should receive. By invoking the pro-rata principle, the state contends that the Cauvery Authority should recognise this accumulated deficit and adjust future allocations accordingly, bringing the distribution in line with established legal precedents.

The Cauvery Waters Authority, constituted to implement the Supreme Court's 2018 verdict on inter-state water sharing, will need to examine Tamil Nadu's submission in the context of the broader water management framework and the flows realised during the relevant period.