The PUNJAB WATER RESOURCES (MANAGEMENT AND REGULATION) ACT, 2020
punjab · 2020
The scanned source for this Act is imperfect — headings or section boundaries may be off. Verify against the official source.
- S. 1(1) This Act may be called the Punjab Water Resources (Management and Regulation) Act,2020
- S. 2Section 2 defines key terms used in the Punjab Water Resources (Management and Regulation) Act, 2020.
- S. 3Establishes the Punjab Water Regulation and Development Authority to manage water resources.
- S. 4Section 4 details qualifications and appointment procedures for the Chairperson and members of the Punjab Water Resources Authority.
- S. 5—
- S. 61 [(1) No person shall serve as Chairperson or other Member if he has attained the age of sixty five years
- S. 7The section allows the government to remove or suspend the Chairperson or Members of the water authority for various misconduct reasons, including moral turpitude or conflict of interest.
- S. 8Section 8 authorizes the appointment and terms of the Secretary and staff for the Punjab Water Resources Authority.
- S. 9Section 9 mandates the Authority to deposit fees into the State Treasury and prepare an annual budget for its expenses and salaries.
- S. 10Section 10 outlines the meeting procedures, quorum, voting, and presiding officer roles for the Punjab Water Resources Authority.
- S. 11Section 11 ensures actions by the Authority are not invalid due to any constitutional vacancies or defects.
- S. 12Section 12 establishes an Advisory Committee on Water Resources to provide non-binding recommendations to the Authority on water policy and regulatory directions.
- S. 13Section 13 establishes a Council to oversee water management and development in Punjab, setting policies for water supply and conservation.
- S. 14(1) The Government shall prepare an Integrated State Water Plan based on water plans prepared for every block
- S. 15(1) The Authority shall ensure development, management and Powers to issue directions and impose restrictions
- S. 16Section 16 prohibits the Authority from banning groundwater extraction for drinking or domestic purposes.
- S. 17Section 17 establishes the Authority's power to set tariffs for water supply, exempting domestic water use from charges, and allowing groundwater extraction without fees for small household use.
- S. 18Section 18 outlines the procedure for the Authority to determine water supply tariffs, including application submission, scrutiny, public objections, and final tariff order issuance.
- S. 19Section 19 allows the Authority to request reports and information from any person or government entity for its functions.
- S. 20Section 20 empowers the Authority to appoint enquiry officers to investigate matters under the Act, with powers similar to a civil court.
- S. 21Section 21 grants appointed officers the right to inspect premises to ensure compliance with water management orders.
- S. 22Section 22 authorizes the Authority to conduct surveys, investigations, and research on water conservation, usage, and quality.
- S. 23The section allows the Authority to ban water-using industrial operations and stop electricity supply for non-compliance with directions.
- S. 24Section 24 penalizes non-compliance with water authority directions, with fines and imprisonment for first and subsequent offenses.
- S. 25Section 25 holds company officers liable for offenses committed by the company, unless they prove lack of knowledge or due diligence.
- S. 26Section 26 mandates that only the Authority or its authorized officers can file complaints for offenses under the Act.
- S. 27Section 27 allows the Authority to accept a fine from offenders in lieu of prosecution, provided they comply with orders.
- S. 28Section 28 mandates the Authority to follow state water policies and allows the government to issue directives for groundwater optimization.
- S. 29Section mandates the government to provide necessary support to the Authority for executing its decisions under the Act.
- S. 30Section 30 deems Authority members and staff acting under the Act as public servants under the Indian Penal Code.
- S. 31Section 31 protects government and authority officials from legal action for actions taken in good faith under the Act.
- S. 32Section 32 outlines the Authority's powers and procedural guidelines, including natural justice principles and time limits for proceedings.
- S. 33Section 33 bars civil courts from hearing water resource matters and prohibits injunctions against the Authority's actions under the Act.
- S. 34Section 34 prevents individuals from claiming damages or compensation for losses due to actions taken under the Act.
- S. 35(1) The Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act
- S. 36Section 36 allows the Authority to create regulations with government approval and follows existing state department rules in the interim.
- S. 37Section mandates the Authority to prepare and submit an annual report to the Government and State Legislature.
- S. 38Section 38 gives precedence to the Punjab Water Resources Act over any conflicting state laws.
- S. 39Section 39 grants authority to remove obstacles in the management and regulation of water resources in Punjab.