Four states settle pending Narmada Award payments in one-time deal
The Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh signed an agreement in New Delhi on 7 July 2026, in the presence of Amit Shah, settling pending payments under the Narmada Award through a one-time settlement.
Summary
An agreement settling pending payment issues among the Narmada Award beneficiary states was signed in New Delhi on 7 July 2026 in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil. The Chief Ministers of Maharashtra (Devendra Fadnavis), Gujarat (Bhupendra Patel), Rajasthan (Bhajan Lal Sharma) and Madhya Pradesh (Mohan Yadav) signed it. The long-standing dispute concerned cost-sharing for building the Sardar Sarovar Project, and pending dues have been resolved through a one-time settlement. The Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal was set up in 1969 under the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956; its decision was gazetted on 12 December 1979 and provides for the Narmada Control Authority, headquartered in Indore and funded equally by the four states.
Key facts
- Date and place
- 7 July 2026, New Delhi
- States
- Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh
- Signatories
- CMs Devendra Fadnavis, Bhupendra Patel, Bhajan Lal Sharma, Mohan Yadav
- Present
- Amit Shah; Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil
- Issue
- Cost-sharing for Sardar Sarovar Project; one-time settlement of dues
- NWDT (static)
- Constituted 6 October 1969 under Section 4, Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956
- Award gazetted (static)
- 12 December 1979 (S.O. 792(E))
- NCA (static)
- Functioning since 20 December 1980; HQ Indore; funded equally by the four states; Secretary (Water Resources) is chairman
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Which four states signed the agreement on pending Narmada Award payments on 7 July 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh
The Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh signed the agreement in New Delhi.
The Narmada Award payment dispute settled in July 2026 related to cost-sharing for which project?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Sardar Sarovar Project
The agreement resolved disputes over cost-sharing for construction of the Sardar Sarovar Project.
Where is the headquarters of the Narmada Control Authority, the body set up to implement the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal's award?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Indore
NCA's official site says the authority has its headquarters at Indore; the 1979 award had kept it at New Delhi until a permanent location was decided.
Consider the following statements: 1. The Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal was constituted in 1969 under the Inter-State Water Disputes Act, 1956. 2. The Tribunal's decision was published in the Official Gazette on 12 December 1979. 3. The Narmada Control Authority is funded mainly by the Central Government. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct (India Code notification S.O. 770(E)). Statement 3 is wrong: NCA says it is funded in equal proportions by the four states.