Coimbatore: Allayingthe fears of farmers, Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz today (Feb7,2007) said the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal's verdict on the sharing of theriver's waters will be implemented as per its recommendations.

Replying to a specific question on farmers in Tamil Nadu being apprehensiveabout the implementation of the verdict in view of past experiences, Soz toldreporters here that there was an in-built scientific formula for deciding theshare of water for the states and this would be implemented within a year.

"There is also a regulatory authority to look after the implementationpart," Soz said.

Categorically denying reports in a section of the press that he had given athree-month ultimatum to Karnataka to implement the verdict, Soz said theriparian states have been given three months to study the verdict and to filetheir grievances.

A regulatory mechanism is already in place and the final verdict will beimplemented within 12 months after going through all formalities andgrievances, he said.

Regarding the dispute between Tamil Nadu and Kerala on Mullaperiyar dam, Sozsaid, "Water is totally a state subject. If the states talk to me, I couldhave discussed it with them. But, if they approach the Supreme Court, nothingcan be done by me."