14-Sep-2020: Status of Mahanadi Tribunal
The Central Government has constituted Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal on 12.03.2018 under Section 4 of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 (as amended) for adjudication of water dispute regarding the inter-state river Mahanadi.
At present the dispute is under adjudication in the Tribunal under Section 5 (2) of Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 (as amended).
As per Section 5(2) of Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 (as amended) “The Tribunal shall investigate the matters referred to it and forward to the Central Government a report setting out the facts as found by it and giving its decision on the matters referred to it within a period of three years (emphasis added).
Provided that if the decision cannot be given for unavoidable reason, within a period of three years, the Central Government may extend the period for a further period not exceeding two years”.
Thereafter, under Section 5(3) of the said Act, the Central Government/State Government(s) may again refer the matter to the Tribunal for further consideration, which may then give its further report within one year, with the option to extend for such further period as Central Government considers necessary.
17-Apr-2018: Central Government hands over reference of Mahanadi Water Disputes to the Tribunal Chairman Justice A M Khanwilkar
Shri. U.P. Singh, Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation handed over reference of Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal under Section 5 (1) of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act (ISRWD), 1956 to Hon’ble Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, Chairman of Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal and Judge of the Supreme Court.
On 19.11.20116, the Odisha Government had submitted complaint under Section 3 of the ISRWD Act, 1956 to the Central Government for seeking constitution of Inter-State Water Disputes Tribunal for the adjudication of water disputes in respect of Mahanadi river between the riparian states of Odisha and Chhattisgarh. On this, the Ministry constituted a Negotiation Committee which held two meetings, but the negotiations were not successful. Odisha also filed Original Suit 1 of 2017in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court in their Order dated 23.01.2018 directed the Central Government to constitute a Tribunal for adjudication of disputes on river Mahanadi and also advised Odisha to present its plea before the Tribunal.
The Central Government constituted Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal on 12.03.2018 with the following composition:-
|
Mr. Justice A.M. Khanwilkar |
Chairman |
|
Dr. Justice Ravi Ranjan |
Member |
|
Justice Indermeet Kaur Kochhar |
Member |
12-Mar-2018: Centre Constitutes Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal
The Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation has issued a notification constituting the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal. The Tribunal will have its headquarters at Delhi and will have the following members nominated by the Chief Justice of India:
- Mr. Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, Judge, Supreme Court of India as Chairman
- Dr Justice Ravi Ranjan, Judge, Patna High Court as Member
- Mrs. Justice Indermeet Kaur Kochhar, Judge, Delhi High Court as Member
The Tribunal has been constituted following orders of the Supreme Court dated 23rd January, 2018 in a suit filed by the Government of Odisha. The Government of Odisha had sought to refer the water dispute regarding the inter-state river Mahanadi and its river valley to a Tribunal for adjudication under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.