The Supreme Court on Friday sought responses from the governments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka on a plea filed by the Centre to transfer the long-standing Pennaiyar river water dispute to the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal. The move is aimed at expediting resolution through an existing mechanism, thereby avoiding the time and expense of constituting a new tribunal.
Centre's Argument for Referral
The Union government has argued that referring the Pennaiyar dispute to the Mahadayi Tribunal, which is already adjudicating a similar interstate water conflict, would ensure faster and more cost-effective adjudication. According to the Centre's submission, this approach would also prevent duplication of resources and legal efforts. The Solicitor General representing the Centre emphasised that the Mahadayi Tribunal has the requisite expertise and infrastructure to handle additional matters efficiently.
Supreme Court's Directive
A bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and Prashant Kumar Mishra issued notices to the two state governments, granting them four weeks to file their responses. The court listed the matter for further hearing after the responses are submitted. The bench observed that the Centre's proposal might serve the interests of judicial economy but stressed the need to hear the states' perspectives before arriving at a decision.
Background of the Pennaiyar Dispute
The Pennaiyar river originates in Karnataka's Chennakesava Hills and flows into Tamil Nadu, eventually reaching the Bay of Bengal. The two states have been locked in a protracted dispute over the sharing of its waters. Tamil Nadu has alleged that Karnataka is utilising more than its agreed share, while Karnataka has denied the claim. Multiple rounds of bilateral talks have failed to yield a resolution.
Mahadayi Tribunal's Status
The Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal was established in 2010 to adjudicate a similar dispute among Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra over the Mahadayi river. The tribunal is currently in an advanced stage of proceedings, and the Centre believes that adding the Pennaiyar matter would leverage its existing expertise without significant additional burden.
Impact and Next Steps
If the Supreme Court approves the Centre's plea, the Pennaiyar dispute will be heard alongside the Mahadayi case, potentially leading to a consolidated verdict. Legal experts note that such a move could set a precedent for handling multiple interstate water disputes under a single tribunal, reducing delays. The responses from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are expected within a month.
