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Odisha and Chhattisgarh signal readiness to settle the Mahanadi dispute through talks
ਖ਼ਬਰਾਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਕਿਉਂ?
Which Article lets Parliament settle river disputes? The Mahanadi talks tie it to GS2 federalism answers
Two States prefer negotiation over adjudication on the Mahanadi.
Why it matters: general awareness
What you need to know
2 ਮਿੰਟ
Odisha and Chhattisgarh have expressed willingness to settle the Mahanadi water dispute amicably through dialogue and technical consultation.
Article 262 of the Constitution lets Parliament provide for adjudication of inter-State river water disputes, which is done through the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.
The Mahanadi rises in Chhattisgarh and drains into the Bay of Bengal through Odisha.
ਸਰੋਤ: Topper IAS editorial (PIB / The Hindu / Indian Express)
ਮੁੱਖ ਤੱਥ
Remember these
- Odisha and Chhattisgarh have signalled willingness to settle the Mahanadi dispute through dialogue and technical consultation
- Article 262 lets Parliament provide by law for adjudication of inter-State river water disputes
- The Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 is the law made under Article 262
- The Mahanadi rises in Chhattisgarh and drains into the Bay of Bengal through Odisha
ਪ੍ਰੀਲਿਮਜ਼ · ਮੇਨਜ਼
How the exam will ask it
ਪ੍ਰੀਲਿਮਜ਼
- Article 262 empowers Parliament to provide by law for the adjudication of disputes relating to the waters of any inter-State river or river valley.
- The Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 was enacted under Article 262 of the Constitution.
- The Mahanadi originates in Chhattisgarh and flows through Odisha into the Bay of Bengal.
ਮੇਨਜ਼
GS2 (Centre-State relations) and GS1 (rivers). Inter-State river disputes arise from competing claims over a shared basin; Article 262 and the 1956 Act provide a tribunal route, but the two States now prefer negotiation. Technical consultation and basin-level cooperation can give faster, more durable settlements than prolonged adjudication.
Quick recall
Answer before you reveal
With reference to inter-State river water disputes in India, consider the following statements:
- Article 262 empowers Parliament to provide by law for the adjudication of disputes over the waters of any inter-State river.
- The Mahanadi originates in the Western Ghats.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
ਜਵਾਬ ਵੇਖੋ
ਜਵਾਬ: A — Correct: 1 only — Statement 1 correctly describes Article 262, while statement 2 is wrong because the Mahanadi rises in Chhattisgarh. • 2 only — wrong: Statement 2 is wrong because the Mahanadi rises in Chhattisgarh, not in the Western Ghats, and statement 1 is correct. • Both 1 and 2 — wrong: Statement 2 is wrong because the Mahanadi does not originate in the Western Ghats, so "both" fails. • Neither 1 nor 2 — wrong: Statement 1 is correct, since Article 262 deals with inter-State river water disputes, so "neither" fails.
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