"I realise that some of my criticisms may be mistaken; but to refuse to criticize judgements for fear of being mistaken is to abandon criticism altogether... If any of my criticisms are found to be correct, the cause is served; and if any are found to be incorrect the very process of finding out my mistakes must lead to the discovery of the right reasons, or better reasons than I have been able to give, and the cause is served just as well."

-Mr. HM Seervai, Preface to the 1st ed., Constitutional Law of India.

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Final Award in the Kishanganga Arbitration and Related Documents

In the previous post this morning, we had informed of news reports regarding the final decision in the Kishanganga Arbitration. The PCA website has uploaded the Final Award which can be accessed from here. According to the Press Release:

"The Court decided that India shall release a minimum flow of 9 cumecs into the Kishenganga/Neelum River below the KHEP at all times. However, the Court also decided that either India or Pakistan may seek reconsideration of this decision through the Permanent Indus Commission and the mechanisms of the Indus Waters Treaty after a period of seven years from the first diversion of water from the Kishenganga/Neelum River."

Further, it appears that India had sought clarification on the Partial Award as to whether India may deplete the reservoir level of a run-of-river Plant below Dead Storage Level in any circumstances except in the case of an unforeseen emergency was site specific or was applicable in general under the Treaty. The Tribunal held that it was of general application under the Indus Water Treaty.

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