Name new chief for Cauvery panel

CHENNAI: Pointing out that the resignation of N P Singh, chairman of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, had come at a crucial juncture Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Thursday sought the personal intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to appoint a new chairman to the Tribunal immediately.The CM, in a letter to the PM, pointed out that the civil miscellaneous petition filed by the Tamil Nadu government on March 16 before the Tribunal praying for the early disposal of the pending applications of the party States and the Centre was listed for April 17. But, it could not be taken up due to Singh’s resignation. “At this crucial juncture, the resignation of N P Singh has caused deep concern and anxiety in the minds of the people of Tamil Nadu,” the CM said.Under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act (ISRWDA), the Tribunal cannot function with just two members and the proceedings of the Tribunal can be resumed only if a new chairman is appointed, she said.The CM recalled that the Tribunal had given its final order on February 5, 2007 allocating the Cauvery water among the States. However, the order was yet to be notified. Petitions under Section 5(3) of the ISRWD Act, seeking explanation or guidance by the party States and the Centre are pending before the Tribunal since 2007.