New Delhi: The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) today opposed the introduction of Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill in Lok Sabha.
Objecting the Bill, BJD MP Bhartruhari Mahtab said that water is a state subject and the State Government should have been consulted before preparations of the Bill.
The BJD MP further stated that the Centre, which had taken a suo motu decision on this matter, should seek the opinion of the states before presenting the bill for formation of single inter-state river water disputes tribunal in the Lower House.
Besides Mahtab, leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader TR Baalu also objected to the introduction on the similar grounds.
Baalu said the Bill was brought “overnight” and the government is “bulldozing” legislations even as the State governments remain ignorant about such proposals.
The Bill was later introduced by a voice vote.
The Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019 seeks to amend the Inter State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 to streamline the adjudication of inter-State river water disputes.
A key feature of the Bill is the constitution of a single tribunal with different benches, and the setting of strict timelines for adjudication.