Inter-state water disputes tribunal

Polity & Governance glossary

Topic: Federalism and Centre-State Relations · NCERT: Beyond NCERT

Meaning

An inter-state water disputes tribunal is a special body set up under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act 1956 to settle one river dispute between states. It is ad hoc, which means a separate tribunal is made for each river. Art. 262 lets Parliament keep these disputes away from the ordinary courts.

A 2002 amendment to the Act changed two things:

  • a tribunal gets three years to give its award (its final decision), which can be extended by two years;
  • a published award has the force of a Supreme Court decree, so it must be obeyed like a court order.

The Supreme Court can still hear appeals under Art. 136.

Example

Tribunals have been set up for the Krishna, Godavari, Narmada, Ravi-Beas, Cauvery, Vansadhara, Mahadayi and Mahanadi rivers. A 2019 Bill to replace them with a single standing tribunal passed the Lok Sabha but is still pending.

Don't confuse with

  • River boards: boards under the River Boards Act 1956 would only advise on developing rivers, and none has ever been set up. Tribunals decide disputes.

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