No more pending water issues! Bill to set up single tribunal to settle inter-state water dispute

New Delhi, Jul. 26: Water is a major issue in India in spite, India is a monsoon country. The water distribution is an important issue in Indian states. Now, settling these inter-state water issues, a bill to help to resolve disputes relating to waters of inter-state rivers and river valleys at a faster pace was introduced in Lok Sabha on Thursday.

This bill was introduced amid protests by opposition parties which was stated ‘states were not consulted in this issue’.

Introducing the bill, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said, “in 2013, the states were consulted and a similar bill was brought to Lok Sabha in 2017. The bill was then referred to the standing committee, but the draft law lapsed as the term of the 16th Lok Sabha had ended”.

Furthering the support, Union Minister said, “There are nine (separate) tribunals (to adjudicate water disputes). Four of the tribunals took 10 to 28 years to deliver their award. There is no timeframe to adjudicate disputes and tribunals were extended indefinitely”.

The bill was later introduced by a voice vote.

Nishikant Dubey (BJP) said, " such laws were necessary to settle disputes at a faster pace".

Leader of Congress in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, B Mahtab (BJD) and T R Baalu objected to the introduction, saying the bill does not explain whether states were consulted as water is a state subject.

Mahtab said while the intent of the bill is not under doubt, the states should have been consulted. Baalu said the bill was brought "overnight" and the government is "bulldozing" legislations even as the state governments remain ignorant about such proposals.

As per the current provisions of the 1956 Act, a tribunal can be formed after a state government approaches the Union government with such a request and the Centre is convinced of the need to form the tribunal. At present, there are nine Tribunals including those on Cauvery, Mahadayi, Ravi and Beas, Vansadhara and Krishna rivers.

Key features of this bill-

The Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019 seeks to amend the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 to streamline the adjudication of inter-state river water disputes.
the constitution of a single tribunal with different benches, and the setting of strict timelines for adjudication.
Benches will be set up under the single tribunal.
A retired Supreme Court judge will head the tribunal. There will be benches formed as and when required. The benches though will be wound up once a dispute is resolved, sources said. The 2017 bill could not get the parliamentary nod.
The tribunal will be mandated to deliver final award in two years and it is proposed that whenever it gives the order, the verdict gets notified automatically.