Central Government Extends Tenures of Ravi-Beas and Krishna Water Disputes Tribunals

The Event

The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti has issued official gazette notifications extending the tenure of two key inter-state river water disputes tribunals by one additional year. The Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal has been extended until August 5, 2027, and the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II (KWDT-II) has been extended until July 31, 2027. These extensions were granted to allow both judicial bodies to finalize water allocations and settle complex legal arguments regarding inter-state water sharing.

Background & Context

Inter-state river water disputes are critical federal governance issues in India. The Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal was set up in April 1986 to adjudicate water sharing between Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II was constituted in 2004 to address disputes between Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Following the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, the tribunal's mandate was extended to resolve allocations between the newly formed states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Key Statistics

• Ravi-Beas Dispute Baseline: Centered around sharing the surplus waters of the Ravi and Beas rivers, estimated at 17.17 MAF (Million Acre Feet).
• Krishna Basin Allocation: KWDT-I allocated 2060 tmc ft of water, which was later modified by KWDT-II to allocate 2578 tmc ft among states at different dependability levels.

Static GK & Related Facts

• Constitutional Provision: Article 262 of the Indian Constitution governs the adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-state rivers or river valleys.
• Parliamentary Act: The Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 was enacted under Article 262. Section 11 of the Act bars the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court or any other court over water disputes referred to a tribunal.
• Krishna River Origin: Originates in Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra, and flows through Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.