Amit Shah Witnesses Signing of MOU on Son River Allocation

Union Home Minister Amit Shah played a central role in concluding the 25‑year water dispute between Bihar and Jharkhand. The MOU, signed on 31 August in Delhi, was witnessed by senior officials from the Centre, Bihar and Jharkhand, as well as the two chief ministers.

Shah’s presence was highlighted as a decisive factor that brought both parties back to the negotiation table after several rounds of deadlock. The meeting that led to the pact was first initiated during the 27th Eastern Zonal Council meeting in Ranchi on 10 July 2025, where Shah chaired discussions that produced a consensus on the Son River’s share.

Following the council meeting, a draft MOU was prepared by the Central Water Commission and subsequently approved by the Union Water Resources Minister C.R. Patel. The final document codifies the 5.75 MAF share for Bihar and 2.00 MAF for Jharkhand, ending a protracted legal and political battle.

Shah described the agreement as a model of cooperative federalism that will benefit millions of farmers and rural households across both states.