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BETWA RIVER BOARD ACT, 1976
63 of 1976
[10th April, 1976]
STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS 1 River Betwa is the major tributary of the Yamuna. It flows through the States of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. In August. 1972. the Chief Ministers of the two States agreed to the sharing of the waters of the Betwa river at Rajghat. Thereafter the Stale Governments considered the various technical and engineering problems concerning the dam to be built at Rajghat and the machinery for executing the Project. By the Supplementary Agreement of the 7th December. 1973 the State Governments agreed to the setting up of a Control Board under the Chairmanship of the Union Minister for Irrigation and Power. The question as to how the Board should be set up and the various technical and engineering aspects of the project were thereafter examined and considered and a final agreement in regard to the various matters was reached on the 18th August, 1975. 2. Both the Slate Governments are anxious that the proposed Board should have necessary powers to act independently and without any legal or other difficulties so that there is no delay in the execution of the Rajghat Dam Project. The State Governments are willing to bear the expenses in proportion to the benefits which will accrue to them. They want the Board to utilise in equal measure the services of the officers of the two States. It is. therefore, proposed to take under the control of the Union the regulation and development of the Betwa river valley to the extent necessary for setting up a high-powered Board with necessary powers on the lines agreed to by the State Governments. Hence this Bill. 3. The Bill seeks to provide for the establishment of a Board to be called the Betwa River Board. The Union Minister in charge of Irrigation will be the Chairman of the Board. The other members of the Board will be the Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh and Ministers of those States in charge of Irrigation and Finance. Subject to the general superintendence and control of the Board, the management of the affairs of the Board will vest in an Executive Committee consisting of officers of the two State Governments and the Central Government. The Board's functions will include the carrying out of surveys and investigations iin the Betwa river valley. the preparation of a comprehensive project report and the construction of Rajghat Dam and the common carrier from the dam to irrigate areas in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The expenses of the Board will be met by the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh and those Governments will also make suitable provisions as to moneys, land facilities and electrical power for construction and all other things required by the Board. - Gaz. of Ind.. 6-1-76. Pt. II. S. 2, Ext., p. 81. Act 47 of 1977.-The Betwa River Board Act. 1976, was enacted to provide for the establishment of a Board for the creation of a reservoir at Rajghat byconstruction, on behalf of the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. of a dam on the Betwa river at Rajghat. The Rajghat Dam Project, as then envisaged, was intended to be a project for providing irrigation facilities only. It has since been decided that generation of power should also form an integral part of the project. It is, therefore, proposed to amend the Act to alter the composition of the Board so as to include therein the Union and the Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh Ministers in charge of Power and amplify the functions of the Board so as to include within the Rajghat Dam Project generation of power also. 2. To meet situations in which suitable officers of the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are not available for appointment as Financial Adviser to the Board, it is proposed to avail of the present opportunity to amend section 7 of the Act to provide that the Central Government may. with the concurrence of the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Appoint an officer of the Central Governmeni as the financial Adviser to the Board. 3. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objects. - Gaz. of Ind.. 9-8-1977. Pt. II. S. 2. Ext.. p. 555. An Act to provide for the establishment of a Board for the creation of a reservoir at Rajghat by construction, on behalf of the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, of a dam on the Betwa river at Rajghat and for the regulation of such reservoir. Be it enacted by Parliament in the Twenty-seventh Year of the Republic of India as follows:
CHAPTER 01: PRELIMINARY
SECTION 01: SHORT TITLE AND COMMENCEMENT
(1) This Act may be called The Betwa River Board Act, 1976.
(2) It shall come into force on such date1as the Central Government may. after consultation with the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.
SECTION 02: DECLARATION AS TO EXPEDIENCY OF CONTROL BY THE UNION
It is hereby declared that it is expedient in the public interest that the Central Government should take under its control the regulation and development of the inter-State Betwa River and River Valley to the extent hereinafter provided.
SECTION 03: DEFINITIONS
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-
(a) "Board" means the Betwa River Board established under section 4-:
(b) "Chairman" means the Chairman of the Board;
(c) "Executive Committee" means the Executive Committee constituted under section 5-;
(d) "member" means a member of the Board and includes the Chairman;
(e) ."prescribed" means prescribed by rules made by the Central Government under section 22-;
(f) "Rajghat Dam" means the Dam described in the Schedule;
(g)4["Rani Laxmibai Sagar"] means the reservoir created by the construction of the Rajghat Dam:
(h)"regulations" means regulations made by the Board under section 23-:
(i) "rules" means rules made by the Central Government under section 22-.
CHAPTER 02: ESTABLISHMENTS OF THE BOARD
SECTION 04: ESTABLISHMENT AND INCORPORATION OF THE BETWA RIVER BOARD
(1) With effect from such date2as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint in this behalf, there shall be established for the purposes of this Act, a Board to be called the Betwa River Board.
(2) The Board shall be a body corporate by the name aforesaid having perpetual succession and a common seat with power, subject to the provisions of this Act. to acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable, and lo contract and shall by the said name sue and be sued.
(3) The Union Minister in charge of Irrigation shall he the Chairman of the Board and the other members of the Board shall be the following, namely:
3[(a) where the same Union Minister is not in charge of both Irrigation and Power, the Union Minister in charge of Power or such Minister or Deputy Minister in the Union Ministry or Department in charge of Power as may be specified in this behalf by the Union Minister in charge of Powers:
(b) the Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh; and
(c) the Ministers of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh in charge of Finance, Irrigation and Power.] Provided that when a proclamation made under an article 356 of the Constitution-is in force in relation to the Slate of Madhya Pradesh or Uttar Pradesh, the Central Government may appoint three persons to represent such State on the Board and the persons so appointed shall vacate their offices upon the revocation or cesser of operation of such proclamation.
(4) The Board may permit any officer of the Central Government or the Government of Madhya Pradesh or Uttar Pradesh to attend any of its meetings and take part in the proceedings but such officer shall not be entitled to vote.
(5) The Board may associate with itself, in such manner and for such purposes as may be determined by regulation-. any person whose assistance or advice it may desire in complying with any of the provisions of this Act and a person so associated shall have the right to take part in the discussions of the Board relevant to the purpose lor which he has been associated, but shall not be entitled to vote.
SECTION 05: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
(1) The Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute an Executive Committee consisting of officers of that Government and officers of the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
(2) The composition of the Executive Committee shall be such as may be prescribed: Provided that- (a) an officer of the Central Government shall be the Chairman of the Committee: (b) the Government of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh shall have equal representation.
(3) Subject lo the general superintendence and control of the Board, the management of the affairs of the Board shall vest in the Executive Committee and the Chairman and other members of the Committee shall assist the Board in such manner as the Board may require.
(4) Subject to the rules and to the directions of the Board the Executive Committee may exercise any power and do any act or thing which may be exercised or done by the Board.
(5) The procedure to be followed by the Executive Committee and all other matters relating to the Executive Committee shall be such as may be prescribed.
SECTION 06: VACANCIES, ETC., NOT TO INVALIDATE PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OR THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
No act or proceeding of the Board or the Executive Committee shall be invalidate by reason of
(a) any vacancy in the Board or the Executive Committee.
(b) Any defect in the composition of or in any appointment to the Board or the Executive Committee
(c) any irregularity in the procedure of the Board or the Executive Committee not affecting the merits of the case.
SECTION 07: CHIEF ENGINEER AND FINANCIAL ADVISER
(l) The Central Government may. after consultation with the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. appoint an Engineer (to be the Chief Engineer of the Board and to be known as the Chief Engineer. Rajghat Dam Project). and a Financial Adviser, and a Secretary, to the Board from amongst the officers of the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh: Provided that the Central Government shall, so far as practicable, ensure that officers from the same State do not hold the posts of Chief Engineer and Secretary at the same time.5[Provided further that the Central Government may. with the concurrence of the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. appoint an officer of the Central Government as the Financial Adviser.]
(2) Subject to the general superintendence and control of the Board and the Executive Committee, the Chief Engineer of the Board appointed under sub-section (1) shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Board and shall exercise and discharge-
(a) such powers and duties as may be prescribed or as may be delegated to him by the Board:
(b) such other powers and duties as may be determined by regulations.
(3) The Financial Adviser appointed under subjection (1) shall be the Chief Accounts Officer of the Board,
(4) The terms and conditions of service of the Chief Engineer of the Board, and of the Financial Adviser, and the Secretary, to the Board shall be such as may be prescribed.
SECTION 08: OTHER OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE BOARD
(1) Subject to the rules, the Board may appoint such officers and employees as it may deem necessary for the efficient discharge of its functions: Provided that the Board shall, as far as practicable, utilise the services of the officers and employees offered by the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh in such a manner that equal representation is given to the two States.
(2) The terms and conditions of service of the officers and employees of the Board shall be such as may be determined by regulations.
CHAPTER 03: FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE BOARD
SECTION 10: FUNCTIONS OF THE BOARD
Subject to the other provisions of this Act and the rules, the Board may, if satisfied that the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have complied with or arranged to comply with the conditions specified in section 11-,-
(a) carry out surveys and investigations in the Betwa Inter-State river valley and prepare a comprehensive project report for the construction of Rajghat Dam and appurtenant works6[and for the generation of power at Kajghat Dam. including the construction of a power house (hereinafter referred to as the Rajghat Power House) near the dam and ppurtenant works] and finalise the same after consulting the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh and taking into account the suggestions if any made by those Governments:
(b) prepare detailed reports and estimate in respect of the Project and allocate the cost among the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh:
(c) draw up standards and specifications for implementation of the project and for the
maintenance thereof:
(d) construct the Rajghat Dam6[and the Rajghat Power House] and the common carrier from the dam to irrigate areas in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh:
(e) lay down rules of operation and management of Rajghat Dam;
(f) perform any other function which is supplemental, incidental, or consequential to all or any of the functions specified in clauses (a) to (e).
SECTION 11: CONDITIONS SUBJECT TO WHICH THE BOARD MAY EXERCISE ITS FUNCTIONS
(1) The exercise by the Board of the functions specified in section 10-shall be subject to the following conditions, namely:-
(i) that the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh shall at all times make, to the satisfaction of the Board, suitable provisions as to the moneys, land facilities and electrical power for construction and all other things required by the Board;
(ii) that the liability for the entire expenditure on the7[Rajghat Dam and Rajghat Power House including appurtenant works and on the generation of power at Rajghat Dam] and all other expenditure incurred by the Board in the discharge of its functions shall be shared by the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh in such proportion as may be specified by the Board : Provided that the Board may specify different proportions for different works or matters having regard to the benefits which may accrue to the States and other relevant factors:
(iii) that the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh shall extend full co-operation to the Board and shall in particular make available to the Board the land and electric power required by it for construction purposes as expeditiously as possible.
(2) For the purposes of clause (ii) of sub-section (1). the expenditure on the Rajghat Dam shall include the expenditure incurred by the Government of Uttar Pradesh on the Rajghat Dam Project before the establishment of the Board and the Board shall determine the amount of expenditure so incurred by the Government of Uttar Pradesh and the extent to which it shall be reimbursed by the Government of Madhya Pradesh.
SECTION 12: POWERS OF THE BOARD
(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and the rules, the Board shall have the power to do anything which may be necessary or expedient lor lhe purpose of carrying out its functions under this Act.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision, such power shall include the powers
(a) to acquire hold and dispose of such properties, both movable and immovable, as the Board deems necessary:
(b) to publish statistics or other information relating to the various aspects of flood control and drainage in the Betwa River Valley.8[the regulation of9[Rani Laxmibai Sagar] and the generation of power at Rajghat Dam:]
(c) to require the Governments of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to furnish such information as the Board may require in the discharge of its functions.
CHAPTER 04: FINANCE ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT
SECTION 13: BETWA RIVER BOARD FUND
(1) There shall be constituted a Fund to be called the Betwa River Board Fund and then shall be credited there to the sums paid to the Board by the Government of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh and all other sums received by the Board.
(2) The fund shall be applied
(a) for meeting the salaries, allowances and other remuneration of the officers and other employees of the Board and other administrative expenses of the Board:
(b) for meeting the expenditure on surveys and investigations undertaken by the Board:
(c) for meeting the cost of construction of the10[Rajghat Dam. the Rajghat Power House and appurtenant works]: (d) for meeting the other expenses of the Board in the discharge of its functions under this Act.
SECTION 14: BUDGET
The Board shall operate in such form and at such time each year as may be prescribed in its budget for the next financial year showing the estimated expenditure, the amount of expenditure which the State Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have undertaken to provide for and forward the same to the Central Government and the and State Governments.
SECTION 15: ANNUAL REPORT
(1) The Board shall prepare in such form and at such lime each year as may be prescribed in its annual report giving a full account of its activities during the previous year and forward copies thereof to the Central Government and that Government shall cause the same to be laid before each House of Parliament.
(2) The Board shall forward copies of its annual reports to the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
SECTION 16: ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT
The accounts of the Board shall be maintained and audited in such manner as may, in consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India, be prescribed.
CHAPTER 05: MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 17: DIRECTIONS BY CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
In the discharge of its functions, the Board shall be guided by such directions and instructions on questions of policy as may be given to it by the Central Government.
SECTION 18: DISPUTES BETWEEN THE BOARD AND THE STATE GOVERNMENTS
If any dispute arises between the Board and the Government of Madhya Pradesh or Uttar Pradesh or both regarding any matter covered by this Act or touching or arising out of it. it shall be referred to the Central Government and the decision of the Central Government shall be final and binding on the Hoard and the said Governments.
SECTION 19: POWER TO ENTER
Subject to any rules made in this behalf, any officer of the Board generally or specially authorised by the Board in this behalf may. at all reasonable times, enter upon any land or premises and there do such things as may be reasonably necessary for the purpose of lawfully carrying out any works or of making any surveys, examination or investigation, preliminary or incidental to the exercise of any power or the performance of any function by the Board under this Act : Provided that no person shall enter into any building or upon any enclosed court or garden attached to a dwelling house, unless with the consent of the occupier thereof, without previously giving such occupier at least seven days' notice in writing of his intention to do so,
SECTION 20: MEMBERS, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE BOARD TO BE PUBLIC SERVANTS
All members of the Board and the Executive Committee and all officers and employees of the Board shall be deemed, when acting or purporting to act in pursuance of any of the provisions of this Act to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code-
SECTION 21: PROTECTION OF ACTION TAKEN IN GOOD FAITH
(1) No suit prosecution or other legal proceedings shall lie against the Central Government or the Government of Madhya Pradesh or Uttar Pradesh or any member of the board or the Executive Committee or any officer or employee of the Board for anything which is in good done or intended to be done under this Act or the rules or regulations.
(2) No suit or other legal proceedings shall lie against the Board for any damage caused or likely lo be caused by anything in good faith done or purported to be done under this Act or the rules or regulations and. in particular, it shall not be the responsibility of the Board to provide for relief measures necessitated by floods or by breaches and failure of works.
SECTION 22: POWER TO MAKE RULES
(1) The Central Government may. by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for all or any of the following mutters, namely:
(a) the composition of and the procedure to be followed by. the Executive Committee and all other matters
(b) the powers and duties which may be exercised or discharged by the Chief Engineer of the Board, under clause (a) of sub-sec. (2) of section 7-:
(c) the terms and conditions of service of the Chief Engineer of. and the Financial Adviser and the Secretary to the Board, under sub-section (4) of section 7-:
(d) appointment of officers and employees of the Board, under sub-section (1) of section 8-:
(e) the form in which and the time at which the budget and annual report of the Board shall be prepared under section 14-. and sub-section (1) of section 15-:
(f) the manner in which the accounts of the Board shall be maintained and audited, under section 16-:
(g) the form and manner in which disputes may be referred under section 18-to the Central Government and the procedure to be followed by the Central Government for the settlement of such disputes.
SECTION 23: POWER TO MAKE REGULATIONS
(1) The Board may, with the previous approval of the Central Government, by notification in .the Official Gazette, make regulations not inconsistent with this Act and the rules, for enabling it to discharge its functions under this Act.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such regulations may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:-
(a) the manner in which and the purposes for which the Board may associate with itself any persons, under sub-section (5) of Sec. 4-:
(b) the powers which may be exercised and the duties which may be discharged by the Chief Engineer of the Board. tinder sub-section (2) (b) of section 7-:
(c) the terms and conditions of service of the officers (other than the Chief Engineer of the Board Financial Adviser and Secretary to the Board) and other employees of the Board, under sub-sec. (2) of section 8-.
SECTION 24: RULES AND REGULATIONS TO BE LAID BEFORE PARLIAMENT
Every rule and every regulation made under this Act shall he laid. as soon as may be after it is made. before each House of Parliament, while it is in session for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions and if. before the expiry of the session immediately following the session on successive sessions aforesaid. both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or regulation, as the case may be. or both Houses agree that the rule or regulation, as the case may be. should not he made. the rule or regulation shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be: so however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule or regulation.
Footnotes:
1. Enforced on and from 25-10-1976-See Gaz. of Ind.. 23-10-1976, Pt. II. S.3(i). p.2640 (G. S. R. 1518.
D -14-10-761.
2. Board established w.e.f. 5-10-1976-See Gaz. of Ind.. 23-10.1976, Pt. II. Sec.3(i). p. 2640 (C. S. R.
151701 1976).
3. Substituted for clauses (a) and (b) in sub-section (3) by the Betwa River Board (Amendment) Act (47
of 1977). S. 2 (25-12-1977).
4. Substituted clause(G) in Section-3 "Rajghat Reservoir" by The Betwa River Board (Amendment) Act,
1993, August 27,1993 (49 of 1993)
5. Inserted by the Betwa River Board (Amendment) Act (47 of 1977). S. 3 (25-12-1977).
6. Inserted by the Betwa River Board (Amendment) Act (47 of 1977), S. 4 (25-12-1977).
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