Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal today expressedconfidence that a Bill that will pave way for the setting up of a single Tribunal to adjudicate all inter-state river water disputes will be passed in the second part of the Budget Session of Parliament beginning in March.
There are different tribunals hearing disputes between states on the sharing of river waters. And, after orders by the tribunals, states approach the Supreme Court and other courts due to which the issues keeps lingering on and are not moving towards settlement, the Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, told reporters here.
"Hence, why not to have a single tribunal instead of the (existing) multiple tribunals to resolve water-related disputes between the states. A bill is pending in Parliament in this regard and committee has studied it.
"I am fully-confident (that) in the upcoming Parliament (second part of budget) session beginning from March 5, we will be able to pass this bill for setting up a single Tribunal. It will help in saving time and settle issues," Meghwal said.
"States, which do not agree with the tribunal's verdict again approach the judiciary for settlement of these issues, spendinga lot of time and money. A single tribunal to resolve water disputes would be more effective in addressing this problem", Meghwal explained.
He also said all theexisting tribunals wouldbe dissolved and the water disputes pending adjudication before such existing tribunals will be transferred to this newly-formed tribunal.
The minister said that the Centre has decided to hold region-wise meetings to resolve water issues, and the move was welcomed by all the states.
He also said that the Supreme Court, which recently delivered a verdict to resolve the decades-old dispute between southern riparian states over Cauvery river water sharing had directed to set up the Cauvery Management Board and Cauvery Regulatory Authority to resolve the disputes which are pending.
"Following the Supreme Court directive, the Centre is committed to constitute Cauvery Management Board along with the Cauvery Regulatory Authority within six weeks," Meghwal added.
Earlier, Meghwal chaired a Regional Conference of Southern States on Water Resources in which officials from six states participated and discussed to resolve the issues pertaining to water disputes.
"We have decided after this meeting we will hold meetings with basin-wise approach to resolve problems," the minister added.
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