act 033 of 1956 : The Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956

28 Aug 1956
Department
  • Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation
Ministry
  • Ministry of Jal Shaktri
Enforcement Date

1956-08-28T00:00:00.000Z

Section 1. Short title and extent.

(1) This Act may be called the 1[Inter-State River] Water Disputes Act, 1956.


(2) It extends to the whole of India.





1. Subs. by Act 14 of 2002, s. 2, for "Inter-State" (w.e.f. 28-3-2002).



Year Description Hindi Description Files(Eng) Files(Hindi)
06-08-2002 Notification under ISRWDA under section 1 dated 06/08/2002
Section 2. Definitions.

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,--


(a) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act;

(b) "Tribunal" means a Water Disputes Tribunal constituted under section 4;

(c) "water dispute" means any dispute or difference between two or more State Governments with respect to--

(i) the use, distribution or control of the waters of, or in, any inter-State river or river valley; or

(ii) the interpretation of the terms of any agreement relating to the use, distribution or control of such waters or the implementation of such agreement; or

(iii) the levy of any water rate in contravention of the prohibition contained in section 7.




Section 3. Complaints by State Governments as to water disputes.

If it appears to the Government of any State that a water dispute with the Government of another State has arisen or is likely to arise by reason of the fact that the interests of the State, or of any of the inhabitants thereof, in the waters of an inter-State river or river valley have been, or are likely to be, affected prejudicially by--


(a) any executive action or legislation taken or passed, or proposed to be taken or passed, by the other State; or

(b) the failure of the other State or any authority therein to exercise any of their powers with respect to the use, distribution or control of such waters; or

(c) the failure of the other State to implement the terms of any agreement relating to the use, distribution or control of such waters,

the State Government may, in such form and manner as may be prescribed, request the Central Government to refer the water dispute to a Tribunal for adjudication.




Section 4. Constitution of Tribunal.

1[(1) When any request under section 3 is received from any State Government in respect of any water dispute and the Central Government is of opinion that the water dispute cannot be settled by negotiations, the Central Government shall, within a period not exceeding one year from the date of receipt of such request, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute a Water Disputes Tribunal for the adjudication of the water dispute:



Provided that any dispute settled by a Tribunal before the commencement of the Inter-State Water Disputes (Amendment) Act, 2002 (14 of 2000) shall not be re-opened.]


2 [(2) The Tribunal shall consist of a Chairman and two other members nominated in this behalf by the Chief Justice of India from among persons who at the time of such nomination are Judges of the Supreme Court or of a High Court.]

3 [(3) The Central Government may, in consultation with the Tribunal, appoint two or more persons as assessors to advise the Tribual in the proceedings before it.]





1. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 28-3-2002).

2. Subs. by Act 35 of 1968, s. 2, for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 22-8-1968).

3. Subs. by Act 14 of 2002, s. 3, for sub-section (3) (w.e.f. 28-3-2002).



Year Description Hindi Description Files(Eng) Files(Hindi)
02-06-1990 Cauvary Water Disputes Tribunal under section 4 dated 02/06/1990
11-12-1996 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal under section 4 read with 5A dated 11/12/1996
07-01-2003 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal under section 4 with section 5A dated 07/01/2003
02-04-2004 Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal under section 4 dated 02/04/2004
24-02-2010 Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal under section 4 dated 24/02/2010
16-11-2010 Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal under section 4 dated 16/11/2010
30-03-2011 Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal under section 4 read with section 5A dated 30/03/2011
08-05-2012 Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal under section 4 read with section 5A dated 08/05/2012
27-12-2012 Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal under section 4 read with section 5A dated 27/12/2012
13-05-2014 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal undee section 4 read with 5A dated 13/05/2014
24-09-2015 Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal under section 4 with section 5A dated 24/09/2015
16-02-2017 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal under section 4 read with section 5A dated 16/02/2017
12-03-2018 Mahanadi Water Dispute Tribunal under section 4 dated 12/03/2018
07-08-2018 Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal under section 4 read with section 5A dated 07/08/2018
27-07-2020 Notification_KWDT_ISRWDA_27_07_2020_Section_4 with 5A
Section 5. Adjudication of water disputes.

(1) When a Tribunal has been constituted under section 4, the Central Government shall, subject to the prohibition contained in section 8, refer the water disputes and any matter appearing to be connected with, or relevant to, the water dispute to the Tribunal for adjudication.


1[(2) The Tribunal shall investigate the matters referred to it and forward to the Central Government a report setting out the facts as found by it and giving its decision on the mattes referred to it within a period of three years:


Provided that if the decision cannot be given for unavoidable reasons, within a period of three years, the Central Government may extend the period for a further period not exceeding two years.


(3) If,upon consideration of the decision of the Tribunal, the Central Government or any State Government is of opinion that anything therein contained requires explanation or that guidance is needed upon any point not originally referred to the Tribunal, the Central Government or the State Government, as the case may be, within three months from the date of the decision, again refer the matter to the Tribunal for further consideration, and on such reference, the Tribunal may forward to the Central Government a further report within one year from the date of such reference giving such explanation or guidance as it deems fit and in such a case, the decision of the Tribunal shall be deemed to be modified accordingly:


Provided that the period of one year within which the Tribunal may forward its report to the Central Government may be extended by the Central Government, for such further period as it considers necessary.]


2[(4) If the members of the Tribunal differ in opinion on any point, the point shall be decided according to the opinion of the majority.]





1. Subs. by s. 4, ibid., for sub-section (2) (w.e.f. 28-3-2002).

2. Ins. by Act 35 of 1968, s. 3 (w.e.f. 22-8-1968).



Year Description Hindi Description Files(Eng) Files(Hindi)
05-08-2003 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 05/08/2003
05-08-2004 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 05/08/2004
04-02-2005 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 04/02/2005
12-07-2005 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal under section 5 dated 12/07/2005
04-08-2005 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 04/08/2005
03-02-2006 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 03/02/2006
28-07-2006 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 28/07/2006
01-09-2006 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal under section 5 dated 01/09/2006
02-02-2007 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 02/02/2007
20-03-2007 Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal under section 5 dated 20/03/2007
06-07-2007 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 06/07/2007
30-01-2008 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 30/01/2008
03-03-2008 Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal under section 5 dated 03/03/2008
16-05-2008 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal under section 5 dated 16/05/2008
16-07-2008 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 16/07/2008
27-08-2008 Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal under section 5 dated 27/08/2008
23-10-2008 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal under section 5 dated 23/10/2008
04-02-2009 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 04/02/2009
25-02-2009 Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal under section 5 dated 25/02/2009
23-07-2009 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 23/07/2009
19-10-2009 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal under section 5 dated 19/10/2009
29-01-2010 Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal under section 5 dated 29/01/2010
29-01-2010 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 29/01/2010
05-08-2010 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 05/08/2010
28-09-2010 Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal under section 5 dated 28/09/2010
21-10-2010 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal under section 5 dated 21/10/2010
26-11-2010 Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal under section 5 dated 26/11/2010
05-08-2011 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 05/08/2011
02-11-2011 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal under section 5 dated 02/11/2011
03-02-2012 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 03/02/2012
29-03-2012 Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal under section 5 dated 29/03/2012
03-08-2012 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 03/08/2012
05-02-2013 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 05/02/2013
22-02-2013 Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal under section 5 dated 22/02/2013
02-04-2013 Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal Corrigendum under section 5 dated 02/04/2013
29-07-2013 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 29/07/2013
27-09-2013 Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal under section 5 dated 27/09/2013
01-11-2013 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal under section 5 dated 01/11/2013
08-11-2013 Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal under section 5 dated 08/11/2013
27-11-2013 Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal under section 5 dated 27/11/2013
14-03-2014 Vanshdhara Water Disputes Tribunal under section 5 dated 14/03/2014
15-05-2014 Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal under section 5 dated 15/05/2014
06-08-2014 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 06/08/2014
03-11-2014 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal under section 5 dated 03/11/2014
13-11-2014 Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal under section 5 dated 13/11/2014
10-08-2015 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 10/08/2015
18-09-2015 Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal under section 5 dated 18/09/2015
02-11-2015 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal under section 5 dated 02/11/2015
18-07-2016 Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal under section 5 dated 18/07/2016
29-07-2016 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 29/07/2016
11-08-2016 Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal under section 5 dated 11/08/2016
16-09-2016 Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal under section 5 dated 16/09/2016
11-11-2016 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal under section 5 dated 11/11/2016
24-07-2017 Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal under section 5 dated 24/07/2017
31-07-2017 Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal under section 5 dated 31/07/2017
02-08-2017 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 02/08/2017
02-11-2017 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal under section 5 dated 02/11/2017
09-08-2018 Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal under section 5 dated 09/08/2018
09-08-2018 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 09/08/2018
25-01-2019 Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal under section 5 dated 25/01/2019
01-08-2019 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 5 dated 01/08/2019
29-08-2019 Notification_KWDT_ISRWDA_29_08_2019_Section_5
13-12-2019 Notification_VWDT_ISRWDA_13_12_2019_Section_5
17-02-2020 Notification_MWDT_ISRWDA_17_02_2020_Section_5
16-07-2020 Notification_KWDT_ISRWDA_16_07_2020_Section_5
27-07-2020 Notification_R&BWDT_ISRWDA_27_07_2020_Section_5
17-08-2020 Notification_MWDT_ISRWDA_17_08_2020_Section_5
09-12-2020 Notification_VWDT_ISRWDA_09_12_2020_Section_5
Section 5A. Filling of vacancies.

1[5A. Filling of vacancies.--If, for any reason a vacancy (other than a temporary absence) occurs in the office of the Chairman or any other member of a Tribunal, such vacancy shall be filled by a person to be nominated in this behalf by the Chief Justice of India in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 4, and the investigation of the matter referred to the Tribunal may be continued by the Tribunal after the vacancy is filed and from the stage at which the vacancy occurred.]






1. Ins. by s. 4, ibid. (w.e.f. 22-8-1968).

Year Description Hindi Description Files(Eng) Files(Hindi)
11-12-1996 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal under section 4 read with 5A dated 11/12/1996
07-01-2003 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal under section 4 with section 5A dated 07/01/2003
30-03-2011 Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal under section 4 read with section 5A dated 30/03/2011
08-05-2012 Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal under section 4 read with section 5A dated 08/05/2012
27-12-2012 Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal under section 4 read with section 5A dated 27/12/2012
13-05-2014 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal undee section 4 read with 5A dated 13/05/2014
24-09-2015 Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal under section 4 with section 5A dated 24/09/2015
16-02-2017 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal under section 4 read with section 5A dated 16/02/2017
07-08-2018 Vansadhara Water Disputes Tribunal under section 4 read with section 5A dated 07/08/2018
27-07-2020 Notification_KWDT_ISRWDA_27_07_2020_Section_4 with 5A
Section 6. Publication of decision of Tribunal.

1[(1)] The Central Government shall publish the decision of the Tribunal in the Official Gazette and the decision shall be final and binding on the parties to the dispute and shall be given effect to by them.


2[(2) The decision of the Tribunal, after its publication in the Official Gazette by the Central Government under sub-section (1), shall have the same force as an order or decree of the Supreme Court.]





1. Section 6 renumbered as sub-section (1) thereof by Act 14 of 2002, s. 5 (w.e.f. 28-3-2002).

2. Ins. by s. 5, ibid. (w.e.f. 28-3-2002).



Year Description Hindi Description Files(Eng) Files(Hindi)
19-02-2013 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal under section 6 dated 19/02/2013
27-02-2020 Notification_Mahadayi WDT_ISRWDA_27_02_2020_Section_6
Section 6A. Power to make schemes to implement decision of Tribunal.

1[6A. Power to make schemes to implement decision of Tribunal.--(1) Without prejudice to the provisions of section 6, the Central Government may, be notification in the Official Gazette, frame a scheme or schemes whereby provision may be made for all matters necessary to give effect to the decision of a Tribunal.


(2) A scheme framed under sub-section (1) may provide for--

(a) the establishment of any authority (whether described as such or as a committee or other body) for the implementation of the decision or directions of the Tribunal;

(b) the composition, jurisdiction, powers and functions of the authority, the term of office and other conditions of service of, the procedure to be followed by, and the manner of filling vacancies among, the members of the authority;

2[(ba) requisitioning of any data, as may be required by it.]

(c) the holding of a minimum under of meetings of the authority every year, the quorum for such meetings and the procedure thereat;

(d) the appointment of any standing ad hoc or other committees by the authority;

(e) the employment of a Secretary and other staff by the authority, the pay and allowances and other conditions of service of such staff;

(f) the constitution of a fund by the authority, the amounts that may be credited to such fund and the expenses to which the fund may be applied;

(g) the form and the manner in which accounts shall be kept by the authority;

(h) the submission of an annual report by the authority of its activities;

(i) the decisions of the authority which shall be subject to review;

(j) the constitution of a committee for making such review and the procedure to be followed by such committee; and

(k) any other matter which may be necessary or proper for the effective implementation of the decision or directions of the Tribunal.

(3) In making provision in any scheme framed under sub-section (1) for the establishment of an authority for giving effect to the decision of a Tribunal, the Central Government may, having regard to the nature of the jurisdiction, powers and functions required to be vested in such authority in accordance with such decision and all other relevant circumstances, declare in the said scheme that such authority shall, under the name specified in the said schemes have capacity to acquire, hold and dispose of property, enter into contracts, sue and be sued and do all such acts as may be necessary for the proper exercise and discharge of its jurisdiction, powers and functions.

(4) A scheme may empower the authority to make, with the previous approval of the Central Government, regulations for giving effect to the purposes of the scheme.

(5) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, add to, amend, or vary, any scheme framed under sub-section (1).

(6) Every Scheme framed under this section shall have effect not withstand anything contained in any law for the time being in force (other than this Act) or any instrument having effect by virtue of any law other than this Act.

(7) Every scheme and every regulation made under a scheme shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in making any modification in the scheme or the regulation or both houses agree that the scheme or the regulation should not be made, the scheme or the regulation shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that scheme or regulation.]





1. Ins. by Act 45 of 1980, s. 2 (w.e.f. 27-8-1980).

2. Ins. by Act 14 of 2002, s. 6 (w.e.f. 28-3-2002).



Year Description Hindi Description Files(Eng) Files(Hindi)
10-09-1980 Narmada Water Scheme under section 6A dated 10/09/1980
03-06-1987 Narmada Water Scheme under section 6A dated 03/06/1987
10-09-1987 Narmada Water Scheme under section 6A dated 10/09/1987
19-02-1999 Monitoring Committee Notification under ISRWDA under section 6A dated 19/02/1999
12-06-2000 Narmada Water Scheme under section 6A dated 12/06/2000
22-05-2013 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal under section 6A dated 22/05/2013
01-06-2018 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal under section 6A dated 01/06/2018
Section 7. Prohibition of levy of seigniorage, etc.

(1) No State Government shall, by reason only of the fact that any works for the conservation, regulation or utilisation of water resources of an inter-State river have been constructed within the limits of the State, impose, or authorise the imposition of, any seigniorage or additional rate or fee (by whatever name called) in respect of the use of such water by any other State or the inhabitants thereof.


(2) Any dispute or difference between two or more State Governments with respect to the levy of any water rate in contravention of the prohibition contained in sub-section (1) shall be deemed to be a water dispute.




Section 8. Bar of reference of certain disputes to Tribunal.

Notwithstanding anything contained in section 3 or section 5, no reference shall be made to a Tribunal of any dispute that may arise regarding any matter which may be referred to arbitration under the River Boards Act, 1[1956].






1. Subs. by Act 36 of 1957, s. 2 and the Second Schedule, for "1955" (w.e.f. 17-9-1957)

Section 9. Powers of Tribunal.

(1) The Tribunal shall have the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908), in respect of the following matters, namely:--


(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;

(b) requiring the discovery and production of documents and material objects;

1[(ba) requisitioning of any data, as may be required by it;]

(c) issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or for local investigation;

(d) any other matter which may be prescribed.

(2) The Tribunal may require any State Government to carry out, or permit to be carried out, such surveys and investigation as may be considered necessary for the adjudication of any water dispute pending before it.

(3) A decision of the Tribunal may contain directions as to the Government by which the expenses of the Tribunal and any costs incurred by any State Government in appearing before the Tribunal are to be paid, and may fix the amount of any expenses or costs to be so paid, and so far as it relates to expense or costs, may be enforced as if it were an order made by the Supreme Court.

(4) 2[Subject to the provisions of this act and any rules that may be made there under], the Tribunal may, by order, regulate its practice and procedure.





1. Ins.by Act 14 of 2002, s. 6 (w.e.f. 28-3-2002).

2. Subs. by Act 35 of 1968, s. 5, for "Subject to any rules that may be made under this Act" (w.e.f. 22-8-1968)



Section 9A. maintenance of date bank and information.

1[9A. maintenance of date bank and information.--(1) The Central Government shall maintain a data bank and information system at the national level for each river basin which shall include data regarding water resources, land, agriculture, and matters relation thereto, as the Central Government may prescribe form time to time. The State Government shall supply the date to the Central Government or to an agency appointed by the Central Government for the purposes, as and when required.


(2) The Central Government shall have powers to verify the data supplied by the State Government, and appoint any person or persons for the purpose and take such measures as it may consider necessary. The person or persons so appointed shall have the powers to summon such records and information from the concerned State Government as are considered necessary to discharge their functions under this section.]





1. Ins. by Act 14 of 2002, s. 7 (w.e.f. 28-3-2002).

Year Description Hindi Description Files(Eng) Files(Hindi)
23-11-2005 Notification under ISRWDA under section 9A dated 23/11/2005
Section 10. Allowances or fees for presiding officer of Tribunal and assessors.

1[The Chairman and other members of a Tribunal] and the assessors shall be entitled to receive such remuneration, allowances or fees as may be prescribed.






1. Subs. by Act 35 of 1968, s. 6, for "The presiding officer of a Tribunal" (w.e.f. 22-8-1968).

Section 11. Bar of jurisdiction of Supreme Court and other courts.

Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law, neither the Supreme Court nor any other Court shall have or exercise jurisdiction in respect of any water dispute which may be referred to a Tribunal under this Act.





Section 12. Dissolution of Tribunal.

The Central Government shall dissolve the Tribunal after it has forwarded its report and as soon as the Central Government is satisfied that no further reference to the Tribunal in the matter would be necessary.





Year Description Hindi Description Files(Eng) Files(Hindi)
16-07-2018 Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal under section 12 dated 16/07/2018
Section 13. Power to make rules.

(1) The Central Government, after consultation with the State Governments, may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules to carry out the purposes of this Act.


(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generally of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:--

(a) the form and manner in which complaint as to any water dispute may be made by any State Government;

(b) the matters in respect of which a Tribunal may be vested with the powers of a Civil Court;

(c) the procedure to be followed by a Tribunal under this Act;

(d) the remuneration, allowances or fees payable to 1[the Chairman and other members] of a Tribunal and assessors;

2[(e) the terms and conditions of service of officers and assessors of the Tribunal;]

(f) any other matter which has to be, or may be, prescribed.

3[(3) Every rule made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament while it is in session for a total period of thirty days, 4[which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid] both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule of both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in the modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be, so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.]





1. Subs. by Act 35 of 1968, s. 7, for "the presiding officer" (w.e.f. 22-8-1968).

2. Subs. by Act 14 of 2002, s. 8, for clause (e) (w.e.f. 28-3-2002).

3. Subs. by Act 35 of 1968, s. 7, for sub-section (3) (w.e.f. 22-8-1968).

4. Subs. by Act 45 of 1980, s. 3, for certain words (w.e.f. 27-9-1980).



Year Description Hindi Description Files(Eng) Files(Hindi)
23-06-1959 The Inter State River Water Dispute Rules 1959 under section 13
Year Description Hindi Description Files(Eng) Files(Hindi)
07-03-2000 Amendments to Inter State water Disputes Rules, 1959 under section 13 dated 07/03/2000
15-07-2010 Notification of Inter-State Water Disputes, 1959 (Amendment) Rules, 2010 under section 13 dated 15/07/2010
27-01-2011 Ammenment to ISRWD Notification under Section 13 dated 27/01/2011
Section 14. Constitution of Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal.

1[14. Constitution of Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal.--(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in in the foregoing provisions of this Act, the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, a constitute a Tribunal under this Act, to be known as the Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal for the verification and adjudication of the matters referred to in paragraphs 9.1 and 9.2, respectively, of the Punjab Settlement.


(2) When a Tribunal has been constituted under sub-section (1), the provisions of sub-sections (2) and (3) of section 4, sub-sections (2), (3) and (4) of section 5 and sections 5A to 13 (both inclusive ) of this Act relating to the constitution, jurisdiction, powers, authority and bar or jurisdiction shall, so far as may be, but subject to sub-section (3) hereof, apply to the constitution, jurisdiction, powers, authority and bar of jurisdiction in relation to the Tribunal constituted under sub-section (1).

(3) When a Tribunal has been constituted under sub-section (1), the Central Government alone may suo motu or at the request of the concerned State Government refer the mattes specified in paragraphs 9.1 and 9.2 of the Punjab Settlement to such Tribunal.


Explanation.--For the purposes of this section, "Punjab Settlement" means the Memorandum of Settlement signed at New Delhi on the 24th day of July, 1985.]





1. Ins. by Act 20 of 1986, s. 2 (w.e.f. 2-4-1986).

Year Description Hindi Description Files(Eng) Files(Hindi)
02-04-1986 Ravi and Beas Water Disputes Tribunal under section 14 dated 02/04/1986
10-06-2003 Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal under section 14 dated 10/06/2003
27-07-2020 Notification_R&BWDT_ISRWDA_27_07_2020_Section_14