## Report on Extension of Tenure for Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes a notification from the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, extending the tenure of the Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal. The core purpose of this extension is to allow the Tribunal to continue its work while the Hon'ble Supreme Court considers pending Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) related to the Tribunal's reports and decisions. The key finding is that the Tribunal's tenure is extended for a further period of three months with effect from 11th December, 2021.
**2. Introduction:**
The purpose of this report is to provide an informative overview of a government notification regarding the extension of tenure for the Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal, based solely on the provided text. This analysis aims to elucidate the reason for the extension and its implications.
**3. Policy Overview:**
This notification represents an amendment to the operational timeline of the Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal, originally constituted on February 24, 2010, under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.
* **Core Objective:** Based on the provided text, the primary objective appears to be to ensure the continuity of the Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal's operations pending the resolution of related legal matters before the Hon'ble Supreme Court. It ensures that the Tribunal remains active during ongoing judicial review of its reports and decisions.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
This notification addresses the need to extend the tenure of the Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal. The text indicates that the Tribunal submitted its report and further report. However, multiple Special Leave Petitions (SLPs) filed by the State of Odisha against the Tribunal's reports and decisions are currently pending before the Hon'ble Supreme Court. Because of these pending legal challenges, the Tribunal requested an extension of its tenure beyond December 10th, 2021. The Central Government is still considering the further report submitted by the Tribunal.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
This notification specifically concerns an *amendment*, namely, the extension of the Tribunal's tenure.
* **Specific Part of Original Policy Changed:** The notification directly amends the timeframe for the Tribunal's operation. The text references section 5(3) of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, particularly the proviso allowing for tenure extension.
* **New Rule/Provision:** The key provision is the extension of the Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal's tenure for a further period of three months, effective from December 11th, 2021.
* **Effect of the Change:** This extension allows the Tribunal to continue its work and remain available to address any further directives or clarifications that may arise from the Hon'ble Supreme Court's consideration of the pending SLPs. Without this extension, the Tribunal's mandate would have expired.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
The immediate target audience includes:
* The Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal itself.
* The State of Odisha, as a party involved in the water dispute and the appellant in the pending SLPs.
* The Ministry of Jal Shakti, responsible for the Tribunal's administration.
Broader stakeholders include:
* Other states potentially affected by the Vansadhara River water allocation.
* Individuals and organizations dependent on the Vansadhara River basin.
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation is the responsible agency for implementing this extension, as evidenced by the notification's origin. The Controller of Publications, Delhi is responsible for publishing the notification.
* **Timelines or Procedures:** The notification specifies a three-month extension period starting December 11th, 2021. No other procedures are explicitly outlined in this document.
* **(Amendment-Specific):** The implementation primarily involves administrative actions to ensure the Tribunal's continued operation and availability.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
The intended outcome of this amendment is to maintain the Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal's operational status, ensuring it can respond to any directives or findings arising from the Hon'ble Supreme Court's review of the pending SLPs. This prevents a lapse in the Tribunal's mandate and ensures that the water dispute resolution process can continue effectively.
**9. Conclusion:**
The notification extending the tenure of the Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal for a further period of three months is a significant administrative action. It ensures the continuity of a critical body involved in resolving a complex inter-state water dispute, especially given the ongoing judicial review by the Hon'ble Supreme Court. This extension is crucial for maintaining stability and facilitating the eventual resolution of the Vansadhara water dispute.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The Indian government ministry responsible for water resources.
Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation: A department under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal: A tribunal constituted for the adjudication of water disputes regarding the InterState river Vansadhara.
InterState River Water Disputes, Act, 1956: The act under which the Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal was constituted.
Vansadhara: An InterState river in India, subject of the water dispute.
Government of Odisha: The state government of Odisha, a party in the water dispute.
Supreme Court: The highest court of law in India.
New Delhi: Capital of India, place of notification
Sanjay Awasthi: Joint Secretary.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
xxxGIDHxxx
सी.जी.-डी.एxलx.x-GअID.-E2xx9x1 22021-232240
CG-DL-E-29122021-232240
ऄसाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण्ड 3—ईप-खण्ड (ii)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 5025] नइ ददल्ली, मगं लिार, ददसम्ब र 28, 2021/पौर् 7, 1943
No. 5025] NEW DELHI, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2021/PAUSA 7, 1943
िल िजि मत्रं ालय
(िल ससं ाधन, नदी जिकास एि ंगगं ा सरं क्षण जिभाग)
ऄजधसचू ना
नइ ददल्ली, 23 ददसम् बर, 2021
का.अ. 5420(ऄ).—ऄंतरराज्यीय नदी िल जििाद ऄजधजनयम, 1956 (1956 का 33) (जिसे आसमें आसके पश्चात ्
ईि ऄजधजनयम कहा गया ह)ै की धारा 4 के ऄधीन ऄजधसूचना संखयांक का.अ. 465 (ऄ.), तारीख 24 फरिरी, 2010
द्वारा िंिाधारा िल जििाद ऄजधकरण (जिसे आसमें आसके पश्चात् ईि ऄजधकरण कहा गया ह)ै का ऄतं रराज्यीय िंिाधारा
नदी और ईसकी नदी घाटी से संबंजधत िल जििादों के न्यायजनणणयन के जलए गठन दकया गया था;
और, ईि ऄजधजनयम की धारा 5 की ईपधारा (2) के ऄधीन ईि ऄजधकरण स,े तीन िर्ण की ऄिजध के भीतर,
ऄथाणत,् तारीख 23 फरिरी, 2013 को या ईससे पूिण ऄपनी ररपोटण और जिजनश्चय देना ऄपेजक्षत था;
और, ईि ऄजधकरण ने ररपोटण और जिजनश्चय प्रस्ट्तुत करने की ऄिजध को 24 फरिरी, 2013 से एक िर्ण की और
ऄिजध बढाने का ऄनरु ोध दकया था और केन्रीय सरकार ने ऄजधसूचना संखयांक का.अ. 436 (ऄ.), तारीख 22 फरिरी,
2013 द्वारा ररपोटण और जिजनश्चय प्रस्ट्तुत करन े की ऄिजध को 24 फरिरी, 2013 से एक िर्ण की और ऄिजध के जलए
जिस्ट्ताररत कर ददया था;
और, ओजडिा सरकार ने 2006 की ररट याजचका (जसजिल) संखयांक 443 में ऄंतिणती अिेदन संखयांक 2013 का
8 द्वारा माननीय ईच्चतम न्यायालय से केन्रीय सरकार को ऄजधकरण के गठन की तारीख 17 जसतम्बर, 2012 से संगणना
का जनदेि दने े का ऄनरु ोध दकया;
और, माननीय ईच्चतम न्यायालय न े तारीख 13 ददसंबर, 2013 को मामले की सुनिाइ की और यह अदिे पाररत
दकया दक क्योंदक ऄजधकरण न े 17 जसतंबर, 2012 स े कायण करना प्रारंभ दकया था, आसजलए ईस तारीख को ईि ऄजधजनयम
की धारा 5 की ईपधारा (2) के ऄधीन यथा ईपबंजधत तीन िर्ण की ऄिजध की संगणना के प्रयोिन के जलए िंिाधारा िल
जििाद ऄजधकरण के गठन की प्रभािी तारीख के रूप म ेंसमझा िाएगा;
7608 GI/2021 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
और, केन्रीय सरकार न े ऄजधसचू ना संखयांक का.अ. 778 (ऄ.) तारीख 14 माच,ण 2014 द्वारा यह जिजनश्चय दकया
दक ईि ऄजधकरण के गठन की प्रभािी तारीख 17 जसतंबर, 2012 होगी और तदनुसार ईि ऄजधजनयम की धारा 5 की
ईपधारा (2) के ईपबंधों के ऄधीन िंिाधारा िल जििाद ऄजधकरण द्वारा ररपोटण और जिजनश्चय प्रस्ट्ततु करने के जलए तीन
िर्ण की ऄिजध 17 जसतंबर, 2012 से प्रारंभ होगी;
और, ईि ऄजधकरण ने ररपोटण और जिजनश्चय प्रस्ट्तुत करने की ऄिजध को 17 जसतंबर, 2015 से एक िर्ण की और
ऄिजध बढाने का ऄनरु ोध दकया था और केन्रीय सरकार न े ऄजधसूचना संखयांक का.अ. 2581 (ऄ.), तारीख 18 जसतंबर,
2015 द्वारा ररपोट ण और जिजनश्चय प्रस्ट्तुत करन े की ऄिजध को 17 जसतंबर, 2015 से एक िर् ण की और ऄिजध के जलए
जिस्ट्ताररत कर ददया था;
और, ईि ऄजधकरण ने ररपोटण और जिजनश्चय प्रस्ट्तुत करने की ऄिजध को 17 जसतंबर, 2016 से एक िर्ण की और
ऄिजध बढाने का ऄनरु ोध दकया था और केन्रीय सरकार न े ऄजधसूचना संखयांक का.अ. 2971 (ऄ.), तारीख 16 जसतंबर,
2016 द्वारा ररपोट ण और जिजनश्चय प्रस्ट्तुत करन े की ऄिजध को 17 जसतंबर, 2016 से एक िर् ण की और ऄिजध के जलए
जिस्ट्ताररत कर ददया था;
और, ईि ऄजधकरण न े ईि ऄजधजनयम की धारा 5 की ईपधारा (2) के ऄधीन ऄपनी ररपोटण और जिजनश्चय
तारीख 13 जसतंबर, 2017 को प्रस्ट्तुत कर ददया था;
और, ओजडिा राज्य न े तारीख 11 ददसंबर, 2017 को ईि ऄजधजनयम की धारा 5 की ईपधारा (3) के परंतुक के
ऄधीन ईि ऄजधकरण को और जनदेि दकया तथा केन्रीय सरकार न े ईि ऄजधकरण म ें तारीख 12 ददसंबर, 2017 को और
जनदेि दकया तथा ईि ऄजधकरण ने 10 ददसंबर, 2018 को या ईससे पहले एक िर्ण की ऄिजध के भीतर ऄपनी ऄजतररि
ररपोटण प्रस्ट्ततु करनी थी;
और, ईि ऄजधकरण ने ऄपनी ऄजतररि ररपोट ण प्रस्ट्ततु करन े की ऄिजध 11 ददसंबर, 2018 से एक िर्ण की और
ऄिजध बढाने का ऄनुरोध दकया था और केन्रीय सरकार न े ऄजधसूचना संखयांक का.अ. 474(ऄ.), तारीख 25 िनिरी,
2019 द्वारा ऄजतररि ररपोट ण प्रस्ट्तुत करन े की ऄिजध को 11 ददसंबर, 2018 से एक िर् ण की और ऄिजध के जलए जिस्ट्ताररत
कर ददया था;
और, ईि ऄजधकरण ने ऄपनी ऄजतररि ररपोट ण प्रस्ट्ततु करन े की ऄिजध 11 ददसंबर, 2019 से एक िर्ण की और
ऄिजध बढाने का ऄनरु ोध दकया था और केन्रीय सरकार न े ऄजधसूचना संखयांक का.अ. 4533(ऄ.), तारीख 13 ददसंबर,
2019 द्वारा ऄजतररि ररपोट ण प्रस्ट्तुत करन े की ऄिजध को 11 ददसंबर, 2019 से एक िर् ण की और ऄिजध के जलए जिस्ट्ताररत
कर ददया था;
और, ईि ऄजधकरण ने ऄपनी ऄजतररि ररपोट ण प्रस्ट्ततु करन े की ऄिजध 11 ददसम्बर, 2020 से एक िर्ण की और
ऄिजध बढाने का ऄनुरोध दकया था और केन्रीय सरकार ने ऄजधसूचना संखयांक का.अ. 4474(ऄ.), तारीख 9 ददसंबर,
2020 द्वारा ऄजतररि ररपोट ण प्रस्ट्तुत करने की ऄिजध को 11 ददसम्बर, 2020 से एक िर्ण की और ऄिजध के जलए
जिस्ट्ताररत कर ददया था;
और, ईि ऄजधकरण ने ईि ऄजधजनयम की धारा 5 की ईपधारा (3) के ऄधीन ऄपनी ऄजतररि ररपोटण तारीख 21
िून, 2021 को प्रस्ट्तुत कर दी ह ै;
और, ईि ऄजधकरण के तारीख 13 जसतंबर, 2017 के ररपोटण और जनणणय, तारीख 23 जसतंबर, 2019 को पाररत
अदेि और तारीख 21 िनू , 2021 की ऄजतररि ररपोट ण के जखलाफ ओजडिा राज्य द्वारा दायर एसएलपी क्रमिः
8030/2018, 27930/2019 और 15143/2021 माननीय ईच्च्तम न्यायालय के समक्ष जिचाराधीन ह,ैं ऄतः ईि
ऄजधकरण न े ऄब ऄजधकरण के कायणकाल को 10.12.2021 से अग ेबढाने का ऄनरु ोध दकया ह;ै
और, ईि ऄजधजनयम की धारा 5 की ईपधारा 3 के ऄधीन ईि ऄजधकरण द्वारा प्रस्ट्तुत ऄजतररि ररपोटण केंरीय
सरकार के जिचाराधीन ह ैऔर ईि एसएलपी माननीय ईच्चतम न्यायालय के समक्ष जिचाराधीन हैं, और ईि ऄजधकरण को
ऄभी तक ईि ऄजधजनयम की धारा 12 के ऄंतगणत भंग नहीं दकया गया गया ह,ै ऄब, आसजलए, केंरीय सरकार ईि
ऄजधजनयम की धारा 5 की ईपधारा 3 के ऄधीन प्रदत्त िजियों का प्रयोग करते हुए ईि ऄजधकरण के कायणकाल को
11 ददसंबर, 2021 से तीन महीने की और ऄिजध के जलए जिस्ट्ताररत करती ह।ै
[फा. सं. एन-60012/1/2017-बीएम]
संिय ऄिस्ट्थी, संयुि सजचि[भाग II—खण् ड 3(ii)] भारत का रािपत्र : ऄसाधारण 3
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
(Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation)
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 23rd December, 2021
S.O. 5420(E).— Whereas, the Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal (hereinafter called the said Tribunal)
was constituted on the 24th February, 2010 vide notification number S.O.465 (E), dated the 24th February, 2010 under
section 4 of the Inter-State River Water Disputes, Act, 1956 (33 of 1956)(hereinafter called the said Act) for the
adjudication of the water disputes regarding Inter-State river Vansadhara, and river valley thereof;
And whereas, the said Tribunal was required to submit its report and decision under sub-section (2) of section
5 of the said Act within a period of three years, that is, on or before the 23rd February, 2013 ;
And whereas, the said Tribunal had requested to extend the period of submission of report and decision for a
further period of one year with effect from the 24th February, 2013 and the Central Government vide notification
number S.O.436 (E), dated the 22nd February, 2013, had extended the period of submission of report and decision for a
further period of one year with effect from the 24th February, 2013;
And whereas, the Government of Odisha approached the Hon’ble Supreme Court vide Interlocutory
Application number 8 of 2013 in Writ Petition (C) number 443 of 2006 to direct the Central Government to reckon the
date of constitution of the Tribunal as the 17th September, 2012;
And whereas, the Hon’ble Supreme Court heard the matter and passed the order on the 13th December, 2013
that as the Tribunal started functioning with effect from the 17th September, 2012, that date be considered as the
effective date of the constitution of the Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal for the purpose of calculating the period
of three years as provided under sub-section (2) of section 5 of the said Act;
And whereas, the Central Government vide notification number S.O.778 (E), dated the 14th March, 2014, had
decided that the effective date of constitution of said Tribunal shall be the 17th September, 2012, and accordingly,
under the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 5 of the said act, the period of three years for submission of report
and decision by the Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal shall commence from the 17th September, 2012;
And whereas, the said Tribunal had requested to extend the period of submission of report and decision for a
further period of one year with effect from the 17th September, 2015 and the Central Government vide notification
number S.O. 2581 (E), dated the 18th September, 2015, had extended the period of submission of report and decision
for a further period of one year with effect from the 17th September, 2015 ;
And whereas, the said Tribunal had requested to extend the period of submission of report and decision for a
further period of one year with effect from the 17th September, 2016 and the Central Government vide notification
number S.O. 2971(E), dated the 16th September, 2016, had extended the period of submission of report and decision
for a further period of one year with effect from the 17th September, 2016;
And whereas the said Tribunal submitted its report and decision under Sub-Section (2) of Section 5 of the
said Act on the 13th September, 2017;
And whereas the State of Odisha made further reference to the said Tribunal under the proviso to Sub-
Section (3) of Section 5 of the said Act on the 11th December, 2017 and the Central Government made further
reference to the said Tribunal on the 12th December, 2017 and the Tribunal had to submit its further report within a
period of one year, that is, on or before the 10th December, 2018;
And whereas, the said Tribunal had requested to extend the period of submission of further report for a
further period of one year with effect from the 11th December, 2018 and the Central Government vide notification
number S.O. 474(E), dated the 25th January, 2019, had extended the period of submission of further report by the said
Tribunal for a further period of one year with effect from the 11th December, 2018;
And whereas, the said Tribunal had requested to extend the period of submission of further report for a
further period of one year with effect from the 11th December, 2019 and the Central Government vide notification
number S.O. 4533(E), dated the 13th December, 2019, had extended the period of submission of further report by the
said Tribunal for a further period of one year with effect from the 11th December, 2019;4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
And whereas, the said Tribunal had requested to extend the period of submission of further report for a
further period of one year with effect from the 11th December, 2020 and the Central Government vide notification
number S.O. 4474(E), dated the 9th December, 2020, had extended the period of submission of further report by the
said Tribunal for a further period of one year with effect from the 11th December, 2020;
And whereas the said Tribunal submitted its further report under sub-section (3) of section 5 of the said Act
on the 21st June, 2021;
And whereas, since the SLPs 8030/2018, 27930/2019 and 15143/2021 filed by the State of Odisha against the
report and decision dated 13th September, 2017, order passed by the said Tribunal dated 23rd September, 2019 and the
further report dated 21st June, 2021 respectively, are pending consideration before the Hon’ble Supreme Court, the
said Tribunal has now requested to extend the tenure of the said Tribunal beyond the 10th December, 2021.
And whereas, the further report submitted by the said Tribunal undersub section 3 of section 5 of the said Act
is under consideration of the Central Government and the said SLPs are pending consideration before the Hon'ble
Supreme Court, and the said Tribunal has not yet been dissolved under section 12 of the said Act, now, therefore, in
exercise of the power conferred by the proviso to sub-section (3) of section 5 of the said Act, the Central Government
hereby extends the tenure of said Tribunal for further period of three months w.e.f11th December, 2021.
[F. No. N-60012/1/2017-BM]
SANJAY AWASTHI, Jt. Secy.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.