Policies, Laws and Regulations

Goa groundwater regulation act (2002)
The act aims to regulate and control the development of groundwater resources in the state through constitution of groundwater cell for carrying out the purposes of the act Posted on 30 May, 2009 10:31 AM

Having regard to the potential of availability of groundwater and other relevant factors, the government, in consultation with the cell, may declare, by notification, any area in the state as a scheduled area.

Bihar irrigation act (1997)
The act aims to provide for and consolidate the law relating to irrigation embankment, drainage, levy & assessment of water rates, better contribution and matters related therewith Posted on 30 May, 2009 10:13 AM

As per the  Bihar irrigation act (1997) all irrigation works are to vest in the Government.

Arunachal Pradesh water resources management authority bill (2006)
The bill aims to establish an authority to regulate and manage water resources in Arunachal Pradesh Posted on 30 May, 2009 10:07 AM

Arunachal Pradesh water resources management authority bill (2006) provides for the establishment of the Arunachal Pradesh water resources management authority to regulate water resources within the state of Arunachal Pradesh, facilitate and ensure judicious, equitable and sustainable management, allocation and utilisation of water resources, fix the rates for use of water for agriculture, industrial, drinking and other purposes and matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Andhra Pradesh water, land and trees act (2002)
The act allows appointment of authority at state, district and mandal level to promote water conservation, enhance tree cover and regulate exploitation of ground and surface water in state Posted on 30 May, 2009 10:03 AM

The Andhra Pradesh Water, Land and Trees Act, 2002 repealed the APWALTA Ordinance as well as the AP Ground Water (Regulation for Drinking Water Purposes) Act, 1996. Under this Act an Authority has been constituted at the State, District and Mandal level and administrators for the same were to be appointed.

The modalities for the same appointment of the administrator, terms of office of the nominated members, resignation, removal from authority, allowances, constitution of the District and Mandal authority, meetings of the State, District and Mandal authorities have been worked out.

Andhra Pradesh water resources development corporation act (1997)
The act aims to promote projects to harness river water for irrigation, command area development, drinking water and industrial activities and also the projects for flood control Posted on 30 May, 2009 09:56 AM

This act was legislated in 1997 to create the Andhra Pradesh Water Resources Development Corporation for promotion and operation of irrigation projects, command area development and schemes for drinking water and industrial water supply to harness the water of rivers of the state of Andhra Pradesh and for related matters including flood control. 

Model bill to regulate and control the development of groundwater by Ministry of Water Resources (1992, 1996 and 2005)
A model bill for groundwater regulation proposed by Ministry of Water Resources in 1992 and its revisions in 1996 and 2005 Posted on 30 May, 2009 09:29 AM

Model bill to regulate and control the development and management of ground water, 1992 

Water (prevention and control of pollution) act of 1974
The act aims to prevent and control water pollution and to maintain/restore wholesomeness of water by establishing central and state pollution control board to monitor and enforce the regulations Posted on 30 May, 2009 09:19 AM

The Central Pollution Control Board, and State Pollution Control Boards composition, terms and conditions of service of members are defined in Sections 3-12 of water (prevention and control of pollution) act, 1974.

The river boards act (1956)
The act empowers central government to establish a river board for regulation and development of inter-state rivers and river valleys Posted on 30 May, 2009 09:15 AM

The act to provide for the establishment of River Boards for the regulation and development of inter-state rivers and river valleys empowers the Central Government, on a request received in this behalf from a State Government or otherwise, by notification in the Official Gazette, to establish a River Board for advising the Governments interested in relation to such matters concerning the regulation or development of an inter-State river or river valley or any specified part thereof. 

The inter-state water disputes act (1956)
The act provides for adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-state rivers and river valleys Posted on 30 May, 2009 09:11 AM

If it appears to the Government of any State that a water dispute with the Government of another State has arisen or is likely to arise by reason of the fact that the interests of the State, or of any of the inhabitants thereof, in the waters of an inter-State river or river valley have been, or are likely to be, affected prejudicially it can request the Central Government under Section 3 of the Act to refer the water dispute to a Tribunal for adjudication.

IELRC site provides information on selected Indian supreme court and high court water-related cases, World Bank and Asian Develeopment Bank funded water projects alongwith national and state legislation related to water and sanitation
IELRC site provides selected Indian supreme court and high court cases water related and Indian projects funded by World Bank and Asian Development Bank containing conditions for legal reform. Posted on 30 May, 2009 09:01 AM

This section on the IELRC site contains selected Indian Supreme Court and High Court cases related to water. The decisions related to water and sanitation taken by the Supreme Court since the early years after independence also includes a few cases dating back to colonial times. Notable cases include - 

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