## Policy Summary: Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDTII) Status
This document summarizes the status of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal II (KWDTII) award, based on a response provided to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 4827 on August 21, 2025, by the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary.
The KWDTII submitted its Report and Decision to the Central Government on December 30, 2010, under Section 5(2) of the Inter-State River Water Disputes (ISWRD) Act, 1956. Following this, party states (erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka) and the Central Government sought further clarification, leading to a further report submitted by the Tribunal on November 29, 2013, under Section 5(3) of the ISWRD Act, 1956, recommending water allocation among the aforementioned states.
While the award is subject to potential future revision upon request from the states, the notification of the December 2010 and November 2013 decisions has been delayed due to a stay order issued by the Supreme Court on September 16, 2011. This order prevents the publication of the Tribunal's decision in the Official Gazette under Section 6(1) of the Act until further notice. The stay was a result of the erstwhile State of Andhra Pradesh challenging the KWDTII Order dated December 30, 2010, before the Supreme Court.
Furthermore, to address the terms of reference outlined in Section 89 of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, the Central Government has been extending the term of the KWDTII on a yearly basis. Most recently, the term has been extended for one year, effective August 1, 2025, as per Gazette Notification No. 3221(E) dated July 10, 2025, and published on July 15, 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The Indian government ministry responsible for water resources and sanitation.
Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal: A tribunal responsible for adjudicating water disputes related to the Krishna River.
SHRI BASAVARAJ BOMMAI: A member of Lok Sabha who raised a question about the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal.
RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY: The Minister of State for Jal Shakti who provided the answer to the Lok Sabha question.
ISWRD Act 1956: The Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956, an Indian law concerning resolution of water disputes between states.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India, involved in the Krishna River water dispute.
Maharashtra: A state in India, involved in the Krishna River water dispute.
Karnataka: A state in India, involved in the Krishna River water dispute.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4827
ANSWERED ON 21.08.2025
KRISHNA WATER DISPUTES TRIBUNAL
4827. SHRI BASAVARAJ BOMMAI:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is true that the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal has submitted its final report/award in
December, 2010 and a further report in November, 2013 and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government is aware of the fact that this award may come up for further revision in future
and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the implementation time available to the basin States is only 35 years and already 12 years have
lapsed without being notified under the ISW Act; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for delay in notification along with the action taken thereon by
the Government?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) to (d) The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (KWDT-II) has submitted its Report and Decision under
Section 5(2) of ISWRD Act 1956 to the Central Government on 30.12.2010. Thereafter, the party States and
the Central Government sought further clarification from the Tribunal under Section 5(3) of the Act. The
Tribunal has forwarded its further Report under Section 5(3) of the ISRWD Act, 1956 on 29.11.2013,
recommending allocation of water amongst erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka. The
Award of Tribunal may come up for further revision in future on request of States as different Tribunals in
past have also advocated the periodic review of allocation made by them after lapse of specific time.
Meantime, the erstwhile State of Andhra Pradesh challenged KWDT-II Order dated 30.12.2010 before
the Hon’ble Supreme Court. In this matter, Hon’ble Supreme Court vide its Order dated 16.09.2011 directed
that till further orders the decision which may be taken by the Tribunal on the reference petitions filed by the
three States and the Central Government shall not be published in Official Gazette in terms of Section 6 (1)
of the Act. Therefore, on account of stay by Supreme Court, the Decision of 29.11.2013 could not be
notified.
Thereafter, to address the terms of reference as contained in section 89 of Andhra Pradesh
Reorganisation Act, 2014, the term of the Tribunal has been extended year on year. Recently, the Central
Government has extended the term of the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II for a period of one-year w.e.f.
01.08.2025, vide Gazette Notification No. 3221(E) dated 10.07.2025, published on 15.07.2025.
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