The River Boards Act, 1956

What the law governs

The River Boards Act, 1956 provides a Central Government framework for regulating and developing inter-State rivers and river valleys. Its commencement was to be fixed by a Central Government notification in the Official Gazette. The source records 15 May 1957 and also records later commencement in Pondicherry and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

The Central Government may establish different River Boards for different rivers or river valleys, either following a State Government request or otherwise. Before establishing a Board, it must consult the State Governments likely to be interested in or affected by the Board's work.

River Boards and their responsibilities

A River Board is a corporate body with continuing legal existence, a common seal and the ability to sue or be sued. Its jurisdiction is limited to the river, tributaries or river valley area identified in the establishing notification.

Key provisions include:

• A Board consists of a Chairman and other members appointed by the Central Government.
• Members must have relevant knowledge and experience, including irrigation, electrical engineering, flood control, navigation, water conservation, soil conservation, administration or finance.
• A Board may advise State Governments on water conservation, irrigation, water supply, drainage, hydro-electric power, flood control, navigation, afforestation, soil erosion and prevention of river pollution.
• A Board may prepare single purpose or multi-purpose schemes and recommend measures for their execution.
• The Board must consult interested governments at all stages and try to secure agreement among them.
• Scheme costs may be divided by agreement. If governments do not agree, the Board may allocate costs according to the benefits each government will receive.

Powers relevant to land and property

The River Boards Act, 1956 allows a Board, within its notified area, to acquire, hold and dispose of movable and immovable property when necessary for its functions. A Board may also carry out surveys and preliminary investigations, inspect river development works, collect technical data and conduct research concerning matters that include soil conservation and land use.

The source does not create a property buyer approval, registration process or fee. However, owners and professionals dealing with land near an inter-State river or river valley may need to check whether a River Board has been established for that location and whether an approved river development scheme concerns the property.

Administration and funding

A River Board may appoint advisory committees, associate specialists with its work and appoint staff. It has its own fund, may receive money from the Central Government or State Governments, and must prepare a budget. The Act also provides for reports, accounts, audit, arbitration, delegation, rule-making, regulations and eventual dissolution of a Board.