DMDK hails inter-state river disputes tribunal

“I on behalf of the DMDK welcome the single tribunal move, which will pave way for interlinking of rivers,” said Vijayakant, in a tweet, adding that interlinking of rivers will result in increase in water level in water bodies across the country.

Recently, the Union government introduced a Bill to amend the Interstate River Water Disputes Act of 1956 and while introducing the Bill, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat claimed that single tribunal will help complete the pending disputes relating to inter-state rivers. There are nine separate tribunals in the country and all the tribunals will be disbanded to form a single tribunal.

Opposition parties, including the DMK opposed the Bill stating that ‘One Nation One Tribunal’ cannot be accepted, but the DMDK, one of the alliance partners of BJP, had supported the amendment. Vijayakant further said that state and Centre should prevent the excess rainwater from mixing in the sea and if it is done, Tamil Nadu will not face the problem of water shortage in the future.

The amendment to set up one tribunal will pave way for interlinking of rivers which will help distribute water to areas which are starved of water, added Vijayakant.