Lok Sabha Question No. 1859 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-05
Subject: Management of Inter-State River Basins
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: SANTOSH AHLAWAT, SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI, BAHADUR SINGH KOLI

1859.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1859

ANSWERED ON 05.05.2016

## MANAGEMENT OF INTER-STATE RIVER BASINS

SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARSWATI SHRI BAHADUR SINGH KOLI

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether a conference on Jal Manthan was held recently and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government is committed to come out with a comprehensive legislation to take care of the management of inter-State river basins of the country in case the States agree over it; and (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION (PROF. SANWAR LAL JAT)

(a) Yes, Madam. This Ministry organized Jal Manthan-2 on 22-23 February, 2016 at New Delhi with the theme 'Integrated Approach for Sustainable Water Management'.  The event was attended by several Ministers and  senior officers of the Central and  State Governments,  representatives  of    NonGovernmental Organisations, eminent experts in the water sector etc.  During the event, different issues / problems relating to water conservation and management and measures to resolve them were inter-alia discussed.

(b) & (c) This  Ministry  had  constituted  a  Drafting  Committee  under  the  Chairmanship  of  Justice T.S. Doabia (Retd.) to study the activities that are required for optimum development of river basin and changes required in the existing River Board Act, 1956 for achievement of the same.  The Committee submitted its Report containing the draft River  Basin Management Bill  in November, 2012. The draft River Basin Management Bill prepared by the Committee has been circulated among all States, Union Territories  and related Union Ministries by this Ministry. The salient features of the draft River Basin Management Bill are annexed.

Further,  this  Ministry  has  constituted  a  Committee  under  the  Chairmanship  of    Dr.  Mihir  Shah  on 28.12.2015 to examine the provisions of the draft River Basin Management  Bill and suggest changes/modifications therein taking into account inter-alia the emerging challenges in the water sector, reuse of waste water after treatment, the likely impact of climate change on water resources, importance of river restoration/rejuvenation, water contamination issue etc.

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## Annexure referred to in reply to parts (b) & (c) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1859 to be answered on 05.05.2016 regarding 'Management of Inter-State River Basins'

## SALIENT FEATURES OF DRAFT RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT BILL

- (1) The Draft River Basin Management Bill proposes establishment of separate River Basin Authorities for regulation and development of waters for twelve major inter-State river basins in the country.
- (2) It proposes  principles of participation,  cooperation,  equitable  and  sustainable  management, conjunctive  use,  integrated  management,  public  trust  doctrine  and  demand  management  for governing river basin development, management and regulation.
- (3) It  proposes  a  two-tier  structure  for  a  River  Basin  Authority,  consisting  of  a  Governing  Council comprising,  inter-alia,  of  Chief  Ministers  of  riparian  States  and  an  Executive  Board  comprising, inter-alia, of Secretaries of riparian States, charged with the technical and implementation powers for the Governing Council decisions.
- (4) It proposes each River Basin Authority should prepare a River Basin Master Plan for the inter-State river basin under its jurisdiction on the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management.
- (5) It proposes that the Governing Council follow persuasion, conciliation and mediation as means to resolve disputes, whenever any dispute or difference arises between two or more State Governments with respect to any recommendation given by the River Basin Authority or the refusal or  neglect  of  any  State  Government  to  undertake  any  measures  in  pursuance  of  the  River  Basin Master Plan or Schemes.
- (6) It provides for referral of dispute(s) for resolution under the Inter State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, when the Governing Council fails to determine the issue(s) or resolve the water dispute(s) or where the State Governments disagree with the decision tendered by such Governing Council.
- (7) It proposes that the River Basin Authority be empowered to have its own funds and requires them to prepare Annual Report to be laid before both Houses of Parliament.
- (8) It  proposes  that  the  Central  Government  may  give  directions  and  make  Rules  for  effective implementation of the provisions of the Bill. It also proposes that every River Basin Authority be empowered to make regulations for discharging its powers and functions etc.

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