Inter-State River Water Disputes Act 1956
Topic: Drainage System of India: Rivers, Basins and Patterns · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The Inter-State River Water Disputes Act 1956 is a central law made under Article 262 of the Constitution. When states disagree over sharing a river that flows through more than one state, the Centre can set up a tribunal under this Act. A tribunal is a special body of judges. Its award (final decision) is final. However, the Supreme Court still hears appeals against awards under Article 136. Tribunals so far include those for the Krishna, Godavari, Narmada, Ravi–Beas (1986), Cauvery, Vansadhara, Mahadayi and Mahanadi. Many tribunals have taken decades. A 2019 bill to create one permanent tribunal is pending (verify current).
Example
The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal gave its award in 2007. The Supreme Court changed it on appeal on 16 February 2018, and the Cauvery Water Management Authority was set up in 2018 to carry out the decision. The dispute is among Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry.
Don't confuse with
- Article 262: the constitutional provision that allows Parliament to make such a law. The 1956 Act is the law actually made under it.
Related concepts
- Usability of river water
- Thalweg
- Ganga-Kaveri link canal
- Interlinking of rivers
- Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal-ERCP link
- Godavari-Cauvery link
- Krishna water dispute
- Satluj-Yamuna Link canal