Govt introduces bill on inter-state river water row in Lok Sabha

The Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2017 has been introduced in the Lok Sabha which proposes to streamline the adjudication of river water disputes and make the present legal and institutional architecture robust. Minister of Water Resources and River Development Uma Bharti yesterday introduced the Bill in the house. 

Ms Bharti called it a revolutionary step towards the resolution of Inter- State River Water Disputes. She said, the bill proposes a Single Standing Tribunal with multiple benches instead of existing multiple tribunals.The tribunal will consist of one Chairperson, one Vice-Chairperson and not more than six other members. The



total time period for adjudication of dispute has been fixed at maximum of four and half years. The decision of the Tribunal will be final and binding with no requirement of publication in the official Gazette. 

The bill provides for transparent data collection system at the national level for each river basin. It also proposes to introduce mechanism to resolve the dispute amicably by negotiations, through a Dispute Resolution Committee consisting of experts before dispute is referred to the tribunal. 

Inter-state river water disputes are on the rise on account of increase in water demands by the States.