Indian Constitution Part 11: State River Water Disputes
In Indian, The inter-state river water dispute is one of the most relevant issues. Sometime it may hamper the relationship between the different states. Various Inter-State Water Disputes Tribunals have been constituted under article 262. Article 262 comes under Indian constitution Part 11: Relations Between The Union and The States.
Article 262 disputes related to Waters:
The Constituent Assembly feared future water disputes to emerge. Due to the sensitivity of such disputes, a specific provision of Article 262 has been mentioned in the Constitution.
- The Parliament may provide by law for the disposal of any dispute or complaint, regarding the use, distribution or control of any inter-state river or river valley water.
- In spite of anything in this Constitution, Parliament may by law provide that neither the Supreme Court nor any other court shall exercise jurisdiction in respect of any such dispute or complaint as is referred to in clause ( 1 ) Coordination between States.
The act under Inter-state water dispute:
1. River Board Act(1956)
Regarding the development of the Interstate river valley, the river board was established (1956) to advise the government. An Interstate Water Dispute Act(1956) provides for the directing of the river dispute to the arbitrator by the Water Disputes Tribunal.
The purpose of this Act was to enable the Union Government to create Boards for Interstate Rivers and river valleys in consultation with State Governments. The objective of Boards is to advise on the inter-state basin to prepare development scheme and to prevent the emergence of conflicts.
2. Inter-State Water Dispute Act, 1956
Central Government should try to resolve the matter by consultation among the aggrieved states. In case, if it does not work, then it may constitute the tribunal.
Important water dispute Rivers and states:
Every state has a dispute regarding water, either It is big or small. But here we discuss Some are important river disputes and states.
1. Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal
Disputed states: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh & Odisha.
Date of constitution: April 1969
Present Status: Award given on July 1980
2. Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal
Disputed states: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka.
Date of constitution: April 1969
Present Status: Award given on December 1979
3. Ravi & Beas Water Tribunal
Disputed states: Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan
Date of constitution: April 1986
Present Status: 1987
4. Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal
Disputed states: Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry
Date of constitution: June 1990
5. Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II
Disputed states: Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra
Date of constitution: April 2004
6. Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal
Disputed states: Andhra Pradesh &Odisha
Date of constitution: February 2010
7. Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal
Disputed states: Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra
Date of constitution: November 2010
8. Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal
Disputed states: Odisha & Chattisgarh