Cabinet decides to set up Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal for Goa and Karnataka

The Union Cabinet today decided to set up the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal to adjudicate the water dispute between the states of Goa and Karnataka. The Tribunal will consist of a Chairman and two Members nominated in this behalf by the Chief Justice of India from amongst judges of the Supreme Court or a High Court.

The Goa Government had requested the Centre in July 2002, under Section 3 of the Inter-State River Water Disputes (ISRWD) Act, 1956, for constitution of a Tribunal for adjudication of the water disputes with Karnataka relating to Mahadayi River. The Act requires that the Central Government shall constitute a tribunal if it is of the opinion that a water dispute cannot be settled by negotiation. The Ministry of Water Resources made efforts to resolve the dispute, but a solution acceptable to both the States did not emerge.

As per the provisions of the Act, the Tribunal forward its report and decision within three years, which is extendable by a period not exceeding two years.