48 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
was completed by 1998. The project was expected to irrigation about 18 lakh hectares in
Gujrat and provide 1450 mw Hydro-Power for peaking.
(3) Statutory Bodies
Four Statutory Bodies are functioning under the Ministry of Water Resources. These
are: Narmada Control Authority, Brahamputra Board, Betwa River Board and the
Tungabhadra Board. A brief description of these bodies is as under:
(a) Narmada Control Authority
The Narmada Control Authority was set-up in pursuance of the decision of the Narmada
Water Disputes Tribunal. It started functioning from December, 1980 and was further
strengthened during 1987 and 1990. The authority coordinates and directs Narmada Basin
Development Project and takes such measures as are necessary or expedient for protection
of environment and also prepares Schemes for the Welfare and Rehabilitation of Oustees
and Other Affected Persons.
(b) Brahmaputra Board
The Government constituted the Brahmaputra Board under the Brahmaputra Act,
1980, with the specific object of preparing a ‘Master Plan’ for the control of Flood and Bank
Erosion and Improvement of Drainage of the Brahmaputra Valley. Jurisdiction of the Board
includes the Barak Valley.
(c) Betwa River Board
The Rajghat Dam Project on the Betwa, a Tributary of the Yamuna, is an Inter-State
Project of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. In accordance with the inter-state agreement
between the two states in 1973, Betwa River Board was constituted under the Betwa River
Board Act, 1976 for early executions of Rajghat Dam Project.
(d) Tungabhadra Board
The Tungabhadra Board is incharge of the common portions of the Tungabhadra Project.
The Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal had made specific provision in the award for the use
of Tungabhadra Waters by Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The responsibility for carrying
out this specific provision relating to the use of Tungbhadra Water has been entrusted to
the Tungabhadra Board by the Tribunal. The board is also regulating the water for irrigation,
Hydro-Power Generation and other uses of the Right Bank.
IRRIGATION AGREEMENTS
(1) Indus Water Treaty
India and Pakistan signed the Indus Water Treaty on 19 September, 1960, fixing and
delimiting the rights and obligations of the Two Countries with regards to the use of the
waters of the Indus River System. It came into force from first April, 1960. A Permanent
Indus Commission representing both the Governments have established co-operation
arrangements for implementation of the treaty.
(2) Indo-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission
The Indo-Bangladesh Joint Rivers Commission was set-up in July, 1972 to perform the
following functions: