Centre Plans Setting up Single Tribunal to Adjudicate Inter-state Water Disputes

Centre Plans Setting up Single Tribunal to Adjudicate Inter-state Water Disputes. The Centre has planned to set up a single, permanent Tribunal to adjudicate all Inter-State River Water Disputes, subsuming existing tribunals, to resolve grievances of states in a speedy manner. A retired Supreme Court judge will act as the chairperson of the Tribunal. The Koyna Damgovernment has also proposed

to amend the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956. It directs to form benches to look into disputes as and when required which would cease to exist once the disputes are resolved.

At present, there are eight Tribunals including those on Cauvery, Mahadayi, Ravi and Beas, Vansadhara and Krishna rivers.

 Earlier water tribunals took ages to deliver final solution into disputes, where as the proposed Tribunal is expected to deliver its verdict during a span of three years.

v. Besides, the amendment also proposes to set up Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) comprising experts and policy-makers to handle disputes prior to the Tribunal.