Mahadayi Water Disputes – Constitution of a Tribunal under Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 – request from State of Goa

The Union Cabinet today approved the proposal for constitution of Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal consisting of a Chairman and two Members nominated in this behalf by the Chief Justice of India from among the persons who at the time of such nomination are Judges of the Supreme Court or High Court and (ii) creation of posts of Chairman and two Members and two Assessors for adjudication of Mahadayi water dispute.

BACKGROUND :

The Government of Goa sent a request in July 2002 to the Central Government under Section 3 of the Inter-State River Water Disputes (ISRWD) Act, 1956 for constitution of a Tribunal for adjudication of the water disputes with State of Karnataka relating to Mahadayi River. The Act requires that Central Government shall constitute a tribunal if it is of the opinion that a water dispute cannot be settled by negotiation. The Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) made efforts to resolve the dispute. However, a solution acceptable to both the States could not emerge. Therefore, the Central Government is required to constitute a tribunal in this regard as per the above Act.

IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY & TARGETS :

The Hon’ble Chief Justice of India would be requested to nominate the Chairman and two Members of the Tribunal from the sitting Judges of Supreme Court or High Court. The Ministry of Urban Development would be requested to allot suitable accommodation for the Tribunal. Thereafter, the Tribunal shall be notified in the official Gazette and complaint of the States should be referred to the Tribunal. As per the provisions of the ISRWD Act, 1956, the Tribunal shall forward its report and decision under Section 5(2) of the Act within a period of three years, which is extendable by a period not exceeding two years as per above Act.

MAJOR IMPACT :

The Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal would adjudicate the water dispute among the State of Goa and Karnataka.

EXPENDITURE INVOLVED :

As per ISRWD Rules, 1956 framed under ISRWD Act, 1956 the expenditure on the Tribunal will initially be borne by the Central Government. However, later the same will be shared by the party States in the proportion as decided by the Tribunal.

NO. OF BENEFICIARIES :

The State of Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra would be benefited by the adjudications of the dispute.

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AKT/LV
(Release ID :55643)