CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Government has requested the Center to revive the “Ravi and Beas Waters Tribunal,” which has been defunct for more than six years so that it could complete its task of giving an award on the shares of Punjab and Haryana. Sources said Haryana’s request, sent to the Secretary in the Union Ministry of Water Resources some time ago was being considered “at the highest level.” The Chief Minister, Mr. Bhajan Lai, had already discussed the matter with the Water Resources Minister, Mr.V.C. Shukla.
In its communication Haryana has told the Center that the tribunal, which is popularly known as Eradi Tribunal ceased to exist before it could complete its work. Therefore, it should be revived, if necessary by including new judges and asked to complete its work. Sources said Mr. Bhajan had pointed out to Mr. Shukla that the tribunal had finished a major part of its task and the little-work that was left could be completed in a short time. He had also emphasized that the disturbed conditions in Punjab, which stalled the tribunal’s work did not exist any longer, sources said. The Erudi tribunal was set up under the Inter-State Water Disputes Act as a follow-up action on the Rajiv-Longowal &cord, which was signed on jet). 24,1985. to adjudicate on the claims of Punjab and Haryana on the waters of the Ravi and the Boas. Headed by Mr. V. Balakrishna Eradi, a Supreme Court judge, the tribunal consisted of Mr A.M. Ahmedi, a judge
Of the Gujarat High Court and Mr. P.C. Balaknshna Menon, a judge of the Kerala High court Mr . Ahmadi is now Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, white Mr. Erich and Mr. Mean) have retired. The tribunal submittal as report on January 1,1987, allocating 5 Million Acres Feet (MAP) water to Punjab and 3.83 MAF to Haryana. Both Punjab and Haryana filed applications before the tribunal, seeking clarifications and explanations on certain points.
While the tribunal was conducting hearings on these applications, Punjab and the Center sought an indefinite adjournment because of the disturbed conditions in Punjab. The tribunal granted the request. After some time, its term ended. The last hearing of the tribunal was held on April I. 1989. Under the law, a tribunal has to submit a separate report on requests for clarifications and explanations. This report is appended to the main report and constitutes the award, which is notified in the official gazette. Therefore the Erudi tribunal’s report is not an award. Haryana wants the tribunal to be revived so that it could dispose of the applications for clarifications and explanation and finalize its award.
Article extracted from this publication >> December 8, 1995
