iii. Single Tribunal for Inter-State Water Disputes
Water disputes between states are distinct from other interstate conflicts. Article 262 of the Constitution prohibits the Supreme Court and other courts from having jurisdiction over interstate water issues. Disputes are settled by the Interstate (River) Water Disputes Act of 1956. According to its terms, the conflicts must be decided by special, temporary tribunals.
- INTER-STATE WATER DISPUTE ACT PROVISIONS (1956)
- The Inter-State Water Conflicts Act of 1956 governs disputes over river water between states.
- According to the 1956 Act’s present provisions, a tribunal can be established if a state government submits a request to the federal government and the federal government is persuaded of the necessity of the tribunal’s establishment.
- The key recommendations of “The Sarkaria Commission” were added to this statute in 2002.
- The modifications prescribed a one-year setup period for the water disputes tribunal as well as a three-year decision-making period.
- With the first generation of tribunals established shortly after independence to decide disputes involving the Krishna, Narmada, and Godavari rivers, this system has achieved considerable success.
- But generally speaking, it has found it difficult to reconcile opposing sides and present fair answers.