Union Cabinet Approves Formation Of Mahanadi Tribunal

Photograph: Suprakash Mishra

Bhubaneswar: Much to the relief of the Odisha government, the Union Cabinet on Tuesday gave approval to the formation of Mahanadi Tribunal as per the directive of the Supreme Court to set aside the Mahanadi river water sharing disputes between Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

As per the decision taken by the cabinet, The tribunal would be formed in line with the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956.

The Tribunal will be comprised of a chairman and two members who will be selected by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court will be the chairman and member of the Tribunal.

The Tribunal will submit its report within three years. If necessary, the tenure of the Tribunal can be extended to a maximum two years.

It will determine water sharing among the basin states on the basis of the overall availability of water in the complete Mahanadi basin, contribution of each state, the present utilization of water resources in each state and the potential for future development.

It is expected that with the adjudication of the dispute by the Tribunal, the long-standing dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh on Mahanadi river will come to a final settlement.