GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU

ABSTRACT

 Water Resources Consolidation Project with World Bank Assistance - Formation of Water Resources Control and Review Council - orders - Issued.     

  PUBLIC WORKS (XI) DEPARTMENT 

 G.O.Ms.No. 1404                                                                                                                                                              Dated   : 30.9.93

Read

            1.         From the Chief Engineer (Irrigation) PWD, Madras - 5
  Lr.No.D&M/JEIV/60776/94-22 dated 8.2.93.

 *****

ORDER

The Government consider that there are too many agencies dealing with water distribution and irrigation research in the State and that it is very necessary to have an Apex body at the State Level to oversee the functioning of the various agencies and to take an integrated view on the utilisation, deployment and distribution of scarce water resources in the State with reference to a well defined order of priorities to be determined. In this context, it is considered that there is an urgent public need for creating a co-ordinating organisation in the field of water resources and irrigation. Accordingly, the issue has been examined. 

  2. After carefully analysing the pros and cons, Government have decided to establish a Water Resources Control and Review Council under the chairmanship of Honourable Cheif Minister for higher level co-ordination to promote and regulate the demands from various water sectors. Accordingly, the Government, hereby constitute the Water Resources Control and Review Council (WRCRC) as follows:- 

I. COMPOSITION OF THE COUNCIL (WRCRC) 

            The Water Resources Control and Review Council (WRCRC) shall have the following composition:-

          

                   1.  Honourable Chief Minister   Chairperson
                   2.     Honourable Minister for Public Works  Vice-Chairman
                   3.     Honourable Minister for Local Administration        Vice-Chairman
                   4.   Honourable Minister for Agriculture   Vice-Chariman
                   5. Chief Secretary to Government  Member

                                                                                                                                                                                           
 The other Members are : 

            6.            Secretary to Government, Public Works Department
            7.            Secretary to Government, Finance Department
            8.            Secretary to Government, Agriculture Department
            9.            Secretary to Government, Municipal Administration & Water Supply Department
            10.          Secretary to Government, Environment and Forest Department
            11.          Secretary to Government, Rural Development Department
            12.          Secretary to Government, Revenue Department
            13.          Secretary to Government, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department
            14.          Secretary to Government, Industries Department
            15.          Secretary to Government, Planning and Development Department
            16.          Secretary to Government, Law Department
            17.          Commissioner, Land Administration Department, Madras
            18.          Member-Secretary, Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission
            19.          Chairman, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board
            20.          Chairman, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board
            21.          Chairman and Managing Director, Madras Metropolitan Water Supply & Sewerage Board
            22.          Managing Director, TWAD Board, Madras
            23.          Chief Engineer (Irrigation) Public works Department, Madras
            24.          Chief Engineer (Minor Irrigation), PWD, Madras
            25.          Chief Engineer (Ground Water), PWD, Madras
            26.          Chief Engineer (Planning & Designs) PWD, Madras
            27.          Director, Institute of Hydraulics & Hydrology, Poondi
            28.          Director, Irrigation Management & Training Institute, Thuvakudi, Trichy
            29.          Director of Agriculture, Madras
            30.          Vice-chancellor, Anna University, Madras
            31.          Director of Industries and Commerce, Madras
            32.          Vice Chancellor, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University,  Coimbatore
            33.          Chief Engineer, Agricultural Engineering, Madras
            34.          Director of Institute of Water Management
                           Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore
            35.       Two representatives from the Water User's community in the Private sector, who have demonstrated knowledge and interest in water use and development to be appointed by Government and whose terms of office shall be defined in the order of appointment.
            36.       The Director, Institute for Water Studies - Member Secretary 

II.            POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL AND REVIEW COUNCIL (WRCRC). 

With the high percentage of the State's surface water resources already utilised, the scope for constructing new surface water storage reservoirs is small. Therefore, more efficient water management is the most promising source for additional productivity from Tamil Nadu. The opportunities for conservation and reuse, in irrigation, industrial use and municipal water system have to be explored in Tamil Nadu. The proposed Council (WRCRC) shall set out policies in this regard.

  The Water Resources Control and Review Council (WRCRC) shall establish allocation priority norms for water use for different sectors with provision for drinking water, being given the highest priority. 

No scheme proposed for exploitation of water shall be excluded from the purview of the Council (WRCRC).

The Council (WRCRC) will take necessary steps to formulate the water management policy to be followed by the State. After the policy is prepared and accepted, after wide circulation, the Council (WRCRC) will implement it, in an effective manner. Monitoring the implementation of the policy will be the primary function of the Council (WRCRC). 

  While taking a look at the various schemes proposed by the user departments, the Council (WRCRC) will get the technical input for these schemes from the various members of the Council (WRCRC) during discussion. The Water Resources Control and Review Council (WRCRC) will also examine the impact of extraction, utilisation and conservation of water on the other users. 

            The Council (WRCRC) shall also 

1.          Formulate water policies for the State and basin water development, control and management; 

2.         Establish principles, standards and procedures for allocation of water under licences, preparation of comprehensive regional or river basin plans and for formulation and evaluation of Government water and related land resources projects using technical, economic, social, legal and environmental criteria; 
3.         Serve as an advisory and co-ordinating body the State in water and related matters;

4.         Review and approve State and river basin master plans; prioritisation of different sectoral water needs;

5.         Review and approve macro planning, distribution management of Water Resources taking into account the water needs of different sectors (agricultural, industrial, drinking, social etc). Small schemes which do not interfere, with other sectoral uses need not be referred to the Council (WRCRC)  For e.g., drinking water supply schemes less than say 10 mld. need not be referred to the council (WRCRC).

6.         Review and approve for publication, on annual assessment of the adequacy of supplies of water necessary to meet the present and their projected state and basin water requirements;

7.         Issue orders as may be necessary to carry out its functions; 

III.  WATER RESOURCES PROJECTS/PROGRAMMES BY GOVERNMENT 

Government Water Resources and related projects and programmes shall be submitted by the proposing agency/agencies to the Council (WRCRC), which may, before taking action, if necessary, refer the matter to the Institute for Water Studies for evaluation and comment in accordance with the principles and guidelines laid down. No programme, plan, project or water works explicitly or implicitly included within the powers and functions of the Council (WRCRC) will be eligible for public funding and budgetary allocation without the recommendation of the Council (WRCRC).

The conflicts/problems arising during normal administration/maintenance of irrigation systems shall not be referred to the Council (WRCRC) and  they may be resolved under rules and guidelines, procedures governing the systems existing at present.

On going Central and State Schemes like Command Area Development (On Farm Development and Rotational Water Supply) micro irrigation schemes Watershed Development Programmes under River Valley project shall be excluded from the purview of the Council (WRCRC).

Any agreement among Government agencies involving the use of water for domestic and municipal water supply, irrigation, hydro power production, industrial or other commercial uses, watershed, coastal areas and environmental protection measures shall, in all cases, be subject to review and approval by the Council (WRCRC). In the review of such agreements, the Council (WRCRC) may consult the parties, other Government agencies concerned and the Institute. The Council (WRCRC) could evolve its own procedures to ensure proper functioning in the achievement of its avowed objectives. 

IV.  RESOLUTION OF CONFLICT ARISING FROM PROJECTS 

With regard to the regulation of conflict arising from projects and agreements, it would be resolved by the Council (WRCRC) by public hearing or by any other method suitable and practicable. 

V.  MEETING OF THE COUNCIL (WRCRC) 

The Council (WRCRC), shall meet once in three months and such other times as may be necessary to carry out its functions and activities. At all meetings, decisions shall be made by a vote of the (simple) majority of those attending. 

  4. The Council (WRCRC) shall function for two years and thereafter, a review of the functioning of the Council (WRCRC) shall be made and, if need be, appropriate statutory status could be accorded later. 

  5. This order shall be deemed to have come into force with immediate effect. 

(BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR)

                 V.SUNDARAM

SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT