Inter State water Disputes

Inter State water Disputes

1. The recent cases of the Cauvery Water Dispute and the Satluj Yamuna Link Canal are some examples.
2. Various Inter-State Water Disputes Tribunals have been constituted so far, but they had their own problems.

Constitutional Provisions

1. Entry 17 of State List deals with water i.e. water supply, irrigation, canal, drainage, embankments, water storage and water power.
2. Entry 56 of Union List empowers the Union Government for the regulation and development of inter-state rivers and river valleys to the extent declared by Parliament to be expedient in the public interest.
3. According to Article 262, in case of disputes relating to waters:
   
   • Parliament may by law provide for the adjudication of any dispute or complaint with respect to the use, distribution or control of the waters of, or in, any inter-State river or river valley.
   • 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 mentioned above.

Active River Water Dispute Tribunals in India

1. Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal II (2004) – Karnataka, Telangana, Andra Pradesh, Maharashtra
2. Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (2018) – Odisha & Chattisgarh
3. Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal (2010) – Goa,Karnataka, Maharashtra
4. Ravi & Beas Water Tribunal (1986) – Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan
5. Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal (2010) – Andra Pradesh & Odisha.
6. Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) 2018

Major Inter-State River Disputes