CONSTITUTION AND FUNCTIONS OF UPPER YAMUNA RIVER BOARD
1. CONSTITUTION
The Board shall consist of Member, Central Water Commission as part time Chairman and one nominee each from the States of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and National Capital Territory of Delhi not below the rank of Chief Engineer and a Chief Engineer of Central Electricity Authority and representatives of Central Ground Water Board and Central Pollution Control Board as part time members.
The Board shall have a full time Member-Secretary. He shall be appointed by the Central Government for a period of three years at a time and he shall not belong to any of the basin States.
2. FUNCTIONS
The functions of the Upper Yamuna River Board shall include:
(a) Regulation and supply of water from all storages and barrages upto and including Okhla barrage, having regard to the agreements entered into or the arrangements made between the Govts. of the Basin States in pursuance of MOU dated 12.5.94 but keeping in view the peaking requirements of the existing and run-of-the river hydro power stations. The operation and maintenance of the control structures shall remain with the respective States as per agreements in respect of each structure. Should, at any time, there be a dispute regarding regulation of flows at any of the structures, the Board shall take over the operation and control of that structure till the dispute is resolved; provided such take over shall take place with the approval of the Review Committee; provided further that if the Review Committee could not meet within 15 days, Chairman of the Review Committee shall take a decision in this regard.
(b) Maintenance of a minimum flow, in proportion of completion of upstream storages going upto 10 cumec downstream of Tajewala/ Hathnikund and downstream of Okhla Head Works throughout the year from ecological considerations as upstream storages are built up progressively in a phased manner.
(c) Monitoring return flows from the waters withdrawn by Delhi from Yamuna after allowing for the consumptive use for the municipal and drinking water purposes as agreed to and after providing treatment to ensure the proper quality of the effluent as per standards of Central Pollution Control Board. For this purpose, the Board shall chalk out a plan in consultation with the concerned Basin States detailing the location from where the raw water will be drawn and the quantum thereof and the points on which water drawn in excess shall be returned back to the system after proper treatment.
(d) Monitoring return flows from the waters withdrawn from Yamuna by the States of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana for the purpose of silt exclusion
(e) Monitoring of flows from tail race of Khara hydel station into river Yamuna upstream of Hathnikund; provided that the design of Hathnikund Barrage should ensure optimum operation of Khara tail race channel and provision should also be made for stage II W.J.C. hydro electric project.
(f) Framing of rules and regulations for water accounting and determination of the shares of water for each State for every 10-day period for purpose of regulation.
(g) Keeping of concurrent records of the flow of the Yamuna at all stations considered necessary by the Board, consideration/completion of the records and determination of the volume of water flowing in river Yamuna in a water year.
(h) Keeping concurrent records of data of withdrawals for irrigation, domestic, municipal and industrial or any other purpose and of water going down the river below Okhla.
(i) Ensuring delivery of supplies to all the concerned States in accordance with their entitlements by taking all necessary measures, inter-alia, by giving directions as regards installation of self recording gauges, taking observations without hindrance, preparing rating curves etc. The selection of the control points at which the Board requires appropriate measures to be taken as mentioned above shall include, but not be limited all points at which Yamuna discharges are being shared by more than one State and all regulation points on the concerned rivers and canals for determining the shareable supplies. The decision of the Board shall be final and binding so far as the selection of the control points are concerned. All the concerned States shall co-operate fully and shall carry out promptly the day to day directions of the Board in regard to regulation and control of supplies, operation of gates and any other matters in their territory, for ensuring delivery of supplies as determined by the Board in accordance with their entitlements.
(j) Co-ordination of activities relating to and giving of appropriate directions so as to ensure as best as possible, the following;
Construction of different works keeping in view funds availability and the desirability of obtaining quick results.
Integrated operation of schemes for various uses like water supply, irrigation, industries, hydro-electric power, flood control, etc. including withdrawals during construction of various works consistent with the provisions in the agreements between the basin states.
Monitoring, conservation and upgrading the quality of the surface and ground waters; and smooth implementation of inter-State projects.
(k) Overviewing plans for catchment area treatment, watershed management, rehabilitation of affected population and conservation of the environment of inter-State projects and projects submerging areas in other States.
(l) Monitoring and reviewing the progress of all projects upto and including Okhla Barrage and advising on the phasing of projects on the basis of the work plans submitted by the Basin States.
(m) Monitoring of, in consultation with the Central Ground Water Board, exploitation of ground water in the Upper Yamuna Catchment and formulation of such regulations as would prevent over-exploitation of the ground water detrimental to the surface flow especially for ensuring minimum flow in the river system.
(n) Submission of Annual Report of its work done during each year to the Central Government as also to the Basin States.
(o) Such other function as the Central Government may, after consultation with the Government of the States of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and National Capital Territory of Delhi, may entrust to it.
3. The Board may, from time to time, appoint one or more advisory committee or committees for the purpose of enabling it to carry out its functions under this Resolution.
4. The Board shall meet as often as necessary but atleast once in every 3 months, and decide on a proper management of water including the manner and details of withdrawals from the storages and the river system.
5. The Chairman or any of the duly authorised representatives of the Board shall have power to enter upon any land property upon which any project or development of any project or any work of gauging or any other hydrological station or measuring device has been or is being constructed, maintained or operated by any State for the use of Yamuna waters. Each State through its appropriate Departments shall render all co-operation and assistance to the Board and its authorised representative in this regard.
6. The Board shall have powers to employ such staff as it may consider necessary for the efficient discharge of its functions. For this purpose, the Board shall make efforts to obtain staff from member States and Centre on deputation.
7. The expenditure on Upper Yamuna River Board shall be shared equally by the basin States.
8. The Board may, with the previous approval of the Central Government, make rules and regulations to provide for:
(a) Regulating the time and place of meeting of the Board and the procedure to be followed for transactions of business at such meetings.
(b) Delegation of powers and duties of the Chairman or any official of the Board.
(c) The appointment and the regulation of the conditions of service of the officers and other staff of the Board.
(d) Any other matter for which regulations are considered necessary by the Board.