The River Boards Act, 1956
An Act to provide for the establishment of River Boards for the regulation and development of inter-State rivers and river valleys.
Administered by. Ministry of Jal Shaktri, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation · Other Acts of 1956
Preamble
THE RIVER BOARDS ACT, 1956
ACT NO. 49 OF 1956
[12th September, 1956.] An Act to provide for the establishment of River Boards for the regulation and development of inter-State rivers and river valleys.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventh Year of the Republic of India as follows:--
What this Act covers
Summary of the River Boards Act, 1956
Key Provisions:
1. Establishment of River Boards
o The Central Government may establish a River Board by notification for any inter-State river or river valley.
o A River Board may be constituted when the Central Government considers it necessary in the public interest.
2. Composition of River Boards
o A River Board consists of a Chairman and other members appointed by the Central Government.
o The Board may include experts in fields such as water resources, engineering, agriculture, and administration.
3. Functions of River Boards
River Boards may perform functions including:
o Advising State Governments on the development and utilisation of river waters.
o Preparing plans for conservation, control, and utilisation of water resources.
o Coordinating activities related to irrigation, flood control, drainage, and hydroelectric power generation.
o Promoting efficient use of water resources.
4. Powers and Duties
o The Board provides technical advice and assistance to States.
o It helps coordinate development projects involving inter-State rivers and river valleys.
o It may collect and analyse data relating to water resources.
5. Cooperation with State Governments
o River Boards work in consultation with concerned State Governments.
o The Act encourages cooperative management of shared river resources.
6. Rule-Making Power
o The Central Government is empowered to make rules for carrying out the purposes of the Act.
o Rules may prescribe procedures relating to the functioning of River Boards.
Sections
Type to filter. 29 sections.
- 1Short title and commencement
- 2Declaration as to expediency of control by Central Government
- 3Definitions
- 4Establishment of Boards
- 5Composition of Board
- 6Terms and conditions of service of members
- 7Temporary absence of any member
- 8Meetings of Board
- 9Vacancy in Board, etc., not to invalidate acts or proceedings
- 10Appointment of advisory committee
- 11Temporary association of persons with Board for particular purposes
- 12Staff of Board
- 13Matters in respect of which a Board may be authorised to tender advice
- 14Functions of Board
- 15Preparation of schemes by Board and their execution
- 16General Powers of Board
- 17Payment to Board
- 18Fund of Board
- 19Budget
- 20Annual report
- 21Accounts and audit
- 22Arbitration
- 23Returns and reports
- 24Delegation of powers
- 25Members and officers of Board to be public servants
- 26Protection of action taken in good faith
- 27Dissolution of Board and transfer of assets and liabilities
- 28Power to make rules
- 29Power to make regulations
Rules made under this Act
2 sets of Rules. India Code publishes Rules as a record and a document rather than as text, so these are indexed here and not reproduced. All Rules.
- Bansagar Control Board Rules1979
- River Board Rules 1958 under section 281958
Related Acts
- The Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 195617 sections
- The Betwa River Board Act, 197624 sections
- The Brahmaputra Board Act, 198030 sections
- The Dam Safety Act, 202156 sections
- The Northern India Canal and Drainage Act, 187375 sections
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Every one of the 29 sections of this Act has its own page. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.