Expedite formation of water dispute tribunal: CM Patnaik to PM Modi

BHUBANESWAR: With Chhattisgarh Government going ahead with the construction of barrages on river Mahanadi, Odisha Government on Wednesday urged the Centre to expedite the process for formation of a tribunal to resolve the inter-State dispute on water sharing.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi,  the Chief Minister said the delay in constituting the tribunal has been proving to be an advantage for neighbouring Chhattisgarh. “The delay in constituting the tribunal has been taken advantage of by Chhattisgarh which in going ahead with the construction of six barrages on Mahanadi which is likely to prejudicially affect the interest of Odisha during non-monsoon period,” Patnaik said.

Drawing the Prime Minister’s attention to October 9 Supreme Court order, the Chief Minister said the Centre had assured the apex court for issuing notification by November 19 for constitution of a tribunal.
Noting  that the Additional Solicitor General appearing for the Centre in the original suit (No 1 of 2017) filed by Odisha had apprised the Supreme Court on May 2, that the Ministry of Water Resources has prepared a note for the decision of the Cabinet on the constitution of a tribunal with reference to Odisha’s November 19, 2016 complaint for adjudication, Patnaik said the same submission was made by the Central Government on the last date of hearing of the case.

The Chief Minister further said his Government had filed a statutory complaint on November 11, 2016 under Section 3 of Inter State River Water Dispute (ISRWD) Act of 1956 seeking constitution of a Water Dispute Tribunal for adjudication of water dispute between the two riparian States of Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

Recalling his earlier letter to the Prime Minister on January 28, this year, the Chief Minister said as per the amended provision of Section 4(1) of ISRWD Act the Central Government is supposed to constitute a tribunal within a period of one year from the of receipt of State’s request.
The State Government has been opposing construction of barrages on the upper stream of river Mahanadi by Chhattisgarh Government as the same has been adversely affecting the flow of water to Hirakud reservoir.