JUDGMENT

SAWANT, J.:- On July 27, 1991 the President, under Article 143 of the Constitution, referred to this Court three questions for its opinion. The Reference reads as follows:

"Whereas, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 4 of the Inter State Water Disputes Act, 1956 (hereinafter referred to as "the Act), the Central Government constituted a Water Disputes Tribunal called "the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal" (hereinafter called "the Tribunal") by a notification dated 2 June, 1990, a copy whereof is annexed hereto, for the adjudication of the Water Dispute regarding the Inter-State River Cauvery;

Whereas on 25 June 1991, the Tribunal passed an interim Order (hereinafter referred to as "the Order), a copy whereof is annexed hereto;

Whereas, differences have arisen with regard to certain aspects of the Order;

Whereas, on 25 July 199 1, the Governor of Karnataka promulgated the Karnataka Cauvery Basin Irrigation Protection Ordinance, 1991 (hereinafter referred to as "the Ordinance"), a copy whereof is annexed hereto;

Whereas, doubts have been expressed with regard to the constitutional validity of the Ordinance and its provisions;

Whereas, there is likelihood of the constitut