The Betwa River Board Act, 1976
Parliament enacted the Betwa River Board Act, 1976, Act No. 63 of 1976, dated 10 April 1976, to establish the Betwa River Board for constructing the Rajghat Dam and regulating its reservoir on behalf of the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The Act came into force on 25 October 1976 and was later amended by Act 47 of 1977 and Act 49 of 1993. It does not establish a Tamil Nadu land approval or property registration process.
What the Act governs
The Betwa River Board Act, 1976 places specified regulation and development of the inter-State Betwa River and River Valley under Central Government control. It provides for creating a reservoir at Rajghat through construction of the Rajghat Dam for the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, as well as regulating the reservoir, called Rani Laxmibai Sagar in the amended text.
The Act also covers the Rajghat Power House, generation of power at the dam and a common carrier for irrigating areas in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Betwa River Board
The Betwa River Board is a corporate body that may acquire, hold and dispose of movable and immovable property, enter contracts, and sue or be sued. Its Chairman is the Union Minister in charge of Irrigation. Its membership includes Union representation and representatives of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
Key organisational provisions include:
- An Executive Committee made up of Central Government officers and officers from Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
- Equal representation for the two State Governments on the Executive Committee.
- Appointment of a Chief Engineer, Financial Adviser and Secretary.
- Power to appoint other officers and employees and form Advisory Committees.
- Protection of proceedings from being invalid merely because of specified vacancies, appointment defects or procedural irregularities that do not affect the merits.
Main functions and powers
The Betwa River Board may:
- Conduct surveys and investigations and prepare the project report.
- Prepare detailed reports and estimates and allocate costs between the two States.
- Set standards and specifications for construction and maintenance.
- Construct the Rajghat Dam, Rajghat Power House and common irrigation carrier.
- Set operating and management rules for the dam.
- Acquire, hold and dispose of property needed for its work.
- Require information from the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
The two State Governments must provide money, land, facilities and electrical power, cooperate with the Board and share expenditure in proportions specified by it.
Relevance to Tamil Nadu property
The Betwa River Board Act, 1976 concerns a river project involving Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The supplied text does not create any Tamil Nadu land title, planning permission, registration or land use requirement. A Tamil Nadu property buyer or owner is therefore not identified as directly affected by its provisions.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Does the Betwa River Board Act apply to land purchases in Tamil Nadu?
The supplied text concerns the Betwa River project in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It does not set out any Tamil Nadu property purchase, registration or land use process.
Can the Betwa River Board acquire land?
Yes. The Betwa River Board may acquire, hold and dispose of movable and immovable property when necessary for carrying out its functions.
Who must provide land and funding for the Rajghat project?
The Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh must provide money, land, facilities and electrical power to the satisfaction of the Betwa River Board. They must share project expenditure in proportions specified by the Board.
Who controls the Betwa River Board?
The Union Minister in charge of Irrigation is the Chairman. The Board includes Union representation and representatives of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, while an Executive Committee manages its affairs under the Board's general supervision and control.
