The correct answer is Parliament. Explanation & Key Takeaways: • Article 262 of the Indian Constitution specifically addresses the adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-State rivers or river valleys. • According to Article 262(1), Parliament is the sole authority empowered to make laws providing for the adjudication of any dispute or complaint regarding the use, distribution, or control of the waters of any inter-State river or river valley. • The Constitution further provides under Article 262(2) that Parliament may, by law, exclude the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court or any other court in respect of such water disputes. • This provision was included to ensure that complex riparian issues and inter-state conflicts are resolved through specialized mechanisms rather than standard judicial litigation, which might be time-consuming or technically limited. Related Concepts: • Legislative Acts under Article 262: • Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956: This Act was enacted to facilitate the creation of ad-hoc tribunals (e.g., Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal) for the adjudication of inter-state water conflicts. • River Boards Act, 1956: This law provides for the establishment of River Boards for the regulation and development of inter-State rivers, aimed at advising the Central Government on coordination and development. • Constitutional Distribution of Power: • Entry 17 of the State List (List II) gives states power over water supplies, irrigation, and canals. • Entry 56 of the Union List (List I) gives the Union power over the regulation and development of inter-State rivers and river valleys to the extent declared by Parliament to be in the public interest. • Other Entities: • The President, Council of Ministers, and Union Home Minister do not possess the constitutional authority to legislate or provide the legal framework for the adjudication of these specific water disputes; their roles are limited to executive functions or administrative implementation.