National level tribunal to solve river water dispute

The Union Cabinet has approved the setting up of a tribunal at national level to settle the dispute over sharing of river water between states.

Briefing media after the Regional Conference of Southern States on Water resources here on Tuesday, the union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said that the Bill for a central Tribunal will be passed during the current budget session. He said that Cauvery management board and regulatory authorities will be established within six months following the Supreme Court's judgment  on  share of water between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Calling the decisions made during the meeting as "Hyderabad Declaration", the minister said that allocations for irrigation projects in different states will be increased and efforts will be made to secure funding from Nabard or the World Bank.

Earlier inaugurating the meeting, he said that interstate disputes over share of river water are a major hurdle in the development of the country. He pointed out that prolonged litigation in courts is a sheer waste of time and money. He made it clear that the meeting being held here is crucial. He reminded everyone that to end water wars is one of the priorities of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Telangana Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao welcoming the move to setting up a central Tribunal has sought centre's help in minimizing inundation of lands in Telangana, due to Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh. He also made it clear that the Kaleswaram project of Telangana is not a new project as alleged by Andhra Pradesh.  Andhra Pradesh demanded notification of jurisdiction of Krishna River Management Board and Godavari River Management Board.