Tribunal allows more time to resolve Mahanadi dispute
'We deem it appropriate to request the secretaries concerned of the respective States to remain present before the tribunal on the next date and apprise it about the progress of settlement talks between the two States,' the tribunal, headed by chairperson Justice Bela M Trivedi, said. The tribunal fixed September 6 as the next date of hearing.
Earlier, Odisha's Advocate General Pitambar Acharya informed the tribunal that both the States have begun exploring an amicable resolution to the dispute and there has been progress in discussions at both the Chief Secretary and political levels. He also said the State government believes a breakthrough is possible if the matter is approached with a 'positive mindset' by the chief ministers of both the States.
Acharya also placed on record a copy of the letter dated July 25 along with the draft minutes of the proceedings of high-level meeting chaired by Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, a copy of letter written by Majhi to his Chhattisgarh counterpart sending a proposal of an amicable settlement of Mahanadi water dispute. Acharya also placed a copy of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai's reply to Majhi and stated that the matter for settlement of the water dispute between the two States was under consideration.
Odisha has time and again alleged that Chhattisgarh's construction of barrages and dams in the upstream region has blocked the natural flow of water, adversely affecting agriculture and livelihoods in the lower basin areas, especially during the non-monsoon season.
After early talks between the States failed, Odisha moved the Supreme Court in November 2016, seeking formation of a tribunal under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956. The Centre formed the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal in March 2018, initially headed by Justice A M Khanwilkar. The proceedings continued between 2018 and 2023 with data submissions, arguments and inspections from both the States.
Acharya noted that no inter-State water dispute in the country has ever been resolved entirely through tribunal proceedings. 'Tribunal chief Trivedi has appreciated the efforts of an amicable settlement to the dispute between the two States. If you see history, no water dispute has been resolved through tribunal. In last six years till 2024, there has been no substantial development. Only one witness has been examined while many others are yet to appear before the tribunal. If the tribunal continues for 10 more years, then also there will be no end to it.'
According to the AG, it is better to resolve such kind of disputes though negotiations on political level. 'The latest development is moving on a positive direction.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Indian Express
11 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Governor RN Ravi reserves Kalaignar University Bill for President's assent, delays new varsity launch
CHENNAI: Governor RN Ravi has reserved the Kalaignar University Bill, passed by the legislative assembly to form a new university in Kumbakonam with the chief minister as chancellor, for the President's consideration. 'The governor has not given immediate assent to the bill but has instead, referred it to the President for a decision. This will further delay the process of formation of the university as we have to wait for the President's reply, ' said a higher education official. The President can either give assent, withhold assent, or return the bill for state government had announced the new university in the name of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in Kumbakonam in this year's budget. The bill proposed that the chief minister (presently MK Stalin) will be the chancellor of the university and the higher education minister would be the pro-chancellor. The bill was moved in the legislative Assembly in April this year and later sent to governor for his assent. Chezhiaan had announced that the university would start functioning from academic year 2025-26 only, however due to delay in governor's assent the department could not inaugurate the varsity, said a higher education official. Stalin and higher education minister Govi Chezhian had expressed their displeasure, claiming the governor had been sitting on the bill for three months and that the government was considering moving the SC again. The Supreme Court's landmark judgment in April approved 10 amendment bills that curtailed the governor's powers to appoint V-Cs in 18 of the 20 state-run universities. However, another bill to amend the University of Madras Act is also pending President's approval. Apart from approving the bills, the SC also set a timeline for governors to act on bills.
New Indian Express
11 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Madras HC directs TN to decide on horizontal reservation for transgender, intersex persons
CHENNAI: Appreciating the Tamil Nadu government for the implementation of the Tamil Nadu State Policy for Transgender Persons, 2025, the Madras High Court has directed the state to take a decision on the request from the community for horizontal reservation in education and employment. The direction was given by Justice N Anand Venkatesh in an order passed on a petition on Monday. He pointed to Clause 3.7 of the policy which uses the term 'Right to Representation in Employment and Educational Institution'. It is not clear as to whether the government wants to provide horizontal reservation to the transgender and intersex persons as it has always been the request made by the community and has been reflected in many of the earlier orders passed by the various courts, he said. 'Hence, the state government is directed to take a decision in this regard so that the transgender and intersex persons need not knock the doors of this court every time and seek for reservation in public employment and educational institutions,' the judge added. Referring to the constitution of district level committees, the judge asked the state government to ensure representation of at least one transwoman, transman and intersex person in the committee for its effective functioning, and instructed the government to make necessary modifications in this regard. The judge said though marriages of transgender and intersex persons are already recognised by the Supreme Court, the real challenge is faced when registrations of such marriages are sought. Hence, the state government must issue necessary directions to the registrars about the legal sanction of these marriages, he added.
Hindustan Times
11 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Interim panel to oversee daily functioning of Mathura temple
The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday agreed to a Supreme Court proposal to set up an interim management committee to oversee the daily functioning of the Bankey Bihari temple in Mathura. The arrangement will remain in place while the legality of the state's ordinance to take over the temple's administration is decided by the Allahabad high court. The SC proposal had come from a bench of justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi on Monday when the court expressed concern over the deadlock between the state and the current temple managing committee. (Sonu Mehta/HT PHOTO) The proposal had come from a bench of justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi on Monday when the court expressed concern over the deadlock between the state and the current temple managing committee. It suggested that a retired high court judge head the interim panel and sought suggestions from all stakeholders on the panel's composition. On Tuesday, the UP government, represented by additional solicitor general (ASG) KM Nataraj, submitted a formal response supporting the court's idea. The state said it had 'no objection' to the formation of such a committee and agreed that it should be allowed access to temple funds to begin work on a planned temple corridor. Drawing parallels with the Kashi Vishwanath Temple redevelopment, the state reiterated its commitment to providing financial support for the Bankey Bihari temple's development in partnership with the temple authorities. The state proposed an eight-member panel led by a retired high court judge who is a Sanatan Hindu from the Vaishnav sect. Other suggested members would include the Mathura civil judge, district collector, senior superintendent of police, municipal commissioner, vice-chairman of the Mathura-Vrindavan Development Authority, principal secretary (temple affairs), and a representative of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The bench reserved its final decision on the composition, even as it has given other parties, including the temple's managing committee and members of the Goswami community, until August 9 (when the matter will be heard next) to submit their views and suggest names for the retired judge. The background to the dispute is the UP government's ordinance 'Uttar Pradesh Shri Bankey Bihari Ji Temple Trust Ordinance, 2025' issued in May. The ordinance replaces the current temple management, primarily comprising the Goswami community, with an 18-member state-controlled trust, including 7 ex-officio government members. The Goswami sect claims it has managed the temple for over 500 years under a judicial decree from 1939 and sees the ordinance as a move to displace them. The ordinance and an earlier Supreme Court order allowing the use of temple funds for development are both under challenge by the temple committee. In court on Tuesday, ASG Nataraj defended the ordinance, saying it aimed to improve temple infrastructure and protect public safety. He said the government wanted to build a corridor around the temple to manage growing footfall, without infringing on the religious rights of devotees. The plan involves using about ₹200 crore from the temple's own funds and ₹5 crore from the state for land purchases and development, keeping ownership with the deity. The ordinance followed a November 2023 Allahabad high court order directing better facilities at the temple after a stampede in August 2022 during Janmashtami left two dead. The court had allowed development but restricted the use of temple funds for land purchase. The state later secured Supreme Court permission to use temple funds. The government says the temple, over 160 years old and occupying just 1,200 sq ft, is unable to safely handle the daily footfall of 40,000-50,000 devotees, which surges to over 500,000 during festivals. Meanwhile, the Goswami community continues to oppose the ordinance, calling it a violation of their customary rights and a backdoor attempt to seize control of temple assets. They have promised to submit names and suggestions for the interim committee at the next hearing.
