The Betwa River Board Act, 1976
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shaktri / Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation
Act details
| Short title | The Betwa River Board Act, 1976 |
|---|---|
| Long title | An Act to provide for the establishment of a Board for the creation of a reservoir at Rajghat by construction, on behalf of the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, of a dam on the Betwa river at Rajghat and for the regulation of such reservoir. |
| Act number | 63 of 1976 |
| Act year | 1976 |
| Enactment date | 10 Apr 1976 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Jal Shaktri / Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation |
| Department | Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation |
| Jurisdiction | Central (Parliament of India) |
| Sections | 24 |
| Schedules | 1 |
| Status | Not repealed |
| Last checked on India Code | 3 Nov 2026 |
| Source | India Code, Government of India |
Summary
Summary of the Betwa River Board Act, 1976
Objective
The Betwa River Board Act, 1976 was enacted to establish the Betwa River Board for the construction of the Rajghat Dam and creation and regulation of the Rajghat Reservoir (now Rani Laxmibai Sagar) on the inter-State Betwa River. The Act aims to ensure coordinated development, management, and utilisation of the river's water resources by the Governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh under the supervision of the Central Government.
Key Provisions
• Establishment of the Betwa River Board: Constitutes the Betwa River Board as a body corporate to implement and supervise the Rajghat Dam Project.
• Executive Committee: Provides for the constitution of an Executive Committee to assist the Board in carrying out its functions efficiently.
• Functions and Powers: Empowers the Board to plan, construct, operate, maintain, and regulate the Rajghat Dam, reservoir, irrigation works, and associated power generation facilities.
• Finance and Administration: Establishes the Betwa River Board Fund and provides for the preparation of budgets, maintenance of accounts, audit, and annual reports.
• Central Government Control: Empowers the Central Government to issue policy directions to the Board and resolve disputes between the Board and the participating State Governments.
• Entry and Protection: Authorises the Board to enter land for the discharge of its functions and protects actions taken in good faith under the Act.
• Rule-making Power: Empowers the Central Government to make rules and the Board to frame regulations for implementing the provisions of the Act.
Legislative history
Legislative History:
The Betwa River Board Act, 1976
● Act Title - The Betwa River Board Act, 1976
● Act Number / Year - 63 of 1976
● Act ID (India Code) - 197663
● Presidential Assent Date - April 10, 1976
● Enforcement Date - October 25, 1976
● Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Jal Shakti
Precedent & Historical Rationale
● Inter-State River Water Agreement - Enacted pursuant to an inter-state agreement reached in July 1972 between the States of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh regarding the shared utilization and development of the water resources of the Betwa River (an inter-state tributary of the Yamuna).
● Execution of Rajghat Dam Project - Formulated to create an autonomous statutory body—the Betwa River Board—for the efficient execution, construction, and management of the Rajghat Dam Project (consisting of the Rajghat Dam and its appurtenant structures) on behalf of both participating state governments to boost irrigation, power generation, and water security in the drought-prone Bundelkhand region.
Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment
● Formulation - Introduced by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (Department of Irrigation) under Entry 56 of List I (Union List) of the Seventh Schedule to facilitate joint inter-state water infrastructure development.
● Parliamentary Passage - Debated and passed by both Houses of Parliament (Fifth Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) during the budget session of 1976.
● Presidential Assent - Received Presidential Assent on April 10, 1976.
● Enforcement - Enforced on October 25, 1976 .
Source - Official Record of Parliament, India Code, and Ministry of Jal Shakti.