Single tribunal to resolve inter-state water disputes

New Delhi, December 18

Advertisement

The Centre has decided to set up a single, permanent tribunal to adjudicate all inter-state river water disputes subsuming existing tribunals — aimed at resolving grievances of states in a speedy manner.

The government has also proposed to float Benches by amending the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956, to look into disputes as and when required. The Benches will cease to exist once the disputes are resolved.

(Follow ; and )

A decision to this effect was taken at the Union Cabinet meeting earlier this week. The amendment is likely to be introduced in Parliament in its next session.

“There will be only one permanent tribunal with a retired Supreme Court judge as its chairperson. There will be Benches formed as and when required. The Benches though will be wound up once a dispute is resolve,” Water Resources Ministry secretary Shashi Shekhar said.

Earlier, he said, water tribunals “took ages” to deliver final awards, whereas the proposed tribunal is expected to deliver its verdict within three years.

The amendment also proposes to set up a Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC), comprising experts and policymakers, to handle disputes prior to the tribunal.

“Whenever a state will request, the Centre will set up a DRC. We expect most disputes will get resolved at the DRC level itself. But if a state is not satisfied, it can approach the tribunal,” he added.

To give more teeth to the tribunal, it is proposed that whenever it gives an order, the verdict gets notified automatically. Until now, the government was required to notify the awards. 

At present, a tribunal can be formed after a state approaches the Centre. — PTI