PANAJI
The Union Ministry for Jal Shakti (water resources) has further extended the tenure of the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT), in order to submit a report on the inter-State water dispute between Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra by another six months with effect from February 21, 2025.
This is the eighth extension that the Ministry has granted to the Tribunal since the time it was constituted in 2010 to resolve the Mhadei water-sharing dispute between three riparian States.
The Tribunal was earlier required to submit its report and decision to the Jal Shakti Ministry on or before August 20, 2021, but it had asked for an extension of one year, back in 2021 and it continued to seek time. Last year in August 2024, the Ministry granted six months’ time to the Tribunal to submit the report.
“In pursuance of the powers conferred by the proviso to Sub Section (3) of Section 5 of the said Act, the Central government hereby extends the period of submission of the further report by the said Tribunal for a further period of six months with effect from February 21, 2025,” reads the notification by the Centre.
Though, the Tribunal submitted its report and Award in August 2018, all the three states - Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka - made further objections seeking other reports which may address their concerns.
The three States have also moved the Supreme Court challenging the Award.
