18-Feb-2018: Myanmar builds dam on border of a Manipur village
Myanmar is constructing a dam, called Tuidimjang, on the Twigem river flowing into Myanmar from Manipur. Since, Tuidimjang dam is being constructed across a river close to the boundary with India, it has stoked fears of submergence and water scarcity among border villagers in Kengjoi subdivision of Manipur’s Chandel district.
The topography of the area is such that nearby Indian villages will be submerged if the dam comes up. The villagers, dependent on the river, are already facing water scarcity.
Also, the dam is being built by Myanmar authorities barely 100 metres from the Zero Line separating the two countries. International rules warrant border countries to check activities in No Man’s Land – a 150-metre strip on either side of the boundary line.
20-Feb-2018: Cabinet approves proposal for Mahanadi Water Disputes – Constitution of a Tribunal under Inter-State River Disputes Act, 1956
The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal for adjudication of dispute on Mahanadi River Waters. The Tribunal shall determine water sharing among basin States on the basis of the overall availability of water in the complete Mahanadi basin, contribution of each State, the present utilization of water resources in each State and the potential for future development.
As per provisions of the Inter-State River Water Disputes (ISRWD) Act, 1956, the Tribunal shall consist of a Chairman and two other Members nominated by the Chief Justice of India from amongst the Judges of the Supreme Court or High Court. Further, services of two Assessors who are water resources experts having experience in handling sensitive water-related issues will be provided to advise the Tribunal in its proceedings.
As per provisions of the ISRWD Act, 1956 the Tribunal is required to submit its report and decision within a period of 3 years which can be extended to a further period not exceeding 2 years due to unavoidable reasons.
It is expected that with adjudication of dispute by the Tribunal, the long-pending dispute between States of Odisha and Chhattisgarh on Mahanadi river will come to a final settlement.
27-Jan-2017: Odisha rejects panel on Mahanadi river dispute.
Odisha government rejected the Centre’s negotiation committee on ongoing Mahanadi water sharing dispute with neighbouring Chhattisgarh. It demands constitution of a Tribunal for adjudication. It stated that the "Committee is not in accordance with the provisions of Sec 4(1) of the Inter State River Water Disputes Act of 1956 and its composition is arbitrary".
Issue: Mahanadi River(858 km) flows between Chhattisgarh (54%) and Odisha (46%). Dispute is majorly about Chhattisgarh government building six barrages on Mahanadi River which might leave insufficient water to the Hirakud dam in Odisha.
19-Jan-2017: Negotiation panel to solve disputes on river Mahanadi and its tributaries
In order to resolve disputes over sharing of river waters among five states(Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Jharkhand), the Centre has constituted a negotiation committee to assess availability and utilization of waters of Mahanadi and its tributaries and asked it to submit its report within three months.
The committee, constituted by Union water resources ministry, will also examine existing water sharing agreements on river Mahanadi and will consider claims of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Jharkhand regarding availability and utilization of waters of these rivers.
The committee has been set up with reference to complaint of state of Odisha under section 3 of the Inter-State River Water Dispute (ISRWD) Act, 1956 regarding utilization of waters of Mahanadi basin.
The committee will be chaired by member (water planning and projects) of the Central Water Commission (CWC). It will have 11 other members comprising representatives from the state governments of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
Officials from Union ministries of agriculture, environment, water resources and earth sciences (India Meteorological Department) will also be members of the committee.
7-Aug-2017: Centre’s move for debate on Article 35A stirs hornet’s nest
The Centre’s move seeking “larger debate” over Article 35A of the Constitution, which empowers the Jammu and Kashmir legislature to define “permanent residents” of the state and provide special rights and privileges to them, has triggered a political storm with several parties warning against any tinkering of the provision.
Article 35A is a provision in the Constitution that empowers Jammu and Kashmir legislature to define permanent residents of the state. It was added through the Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954, issued under Article 370. The Jammu and Kashmir Constitution was adopted on November 17, 1956. It had defined a Permanent Resident as a person who was a state subject on May 14, 1954, or who has been a resident of the state for 10 years, and has lawfully acquired immovable property in the state.
Attempts to undo Article 35A of the Indian Constitution would strike a fatal blow to the nationalists in the state. There is an ongoing case in the Supreme Court challenging the validity of the Article, which prevents non-J&K state subjects from settling and buying property in the state. However, Kashmiris are apprehensive that such a move would open the sluice gates for a demographic transformation of the Valley. The J&K government is also concerned at the reluctance of the Union government to file a counter affidavit in the Supreme Court. Against the backdrop of the escalating protests in Kashmir, this issue could potentially flare up.