Constitution of Water Land, Trees Authority

(1) As soon as may be after this Act is brought into force the Government shall, by notification with effect from such date as may be specified there constitute an authority called the Andhra Pradesh State Water, Land and Trees Authority. (2) The Authority shall consist of- (a) Minister, Panchayat Raj, Rural Development and Rural Water supply or any other Minister, nominated by the Chief Minister (Ex-Officio Chairperson); (b) Three Members of the State Legislative Assembly, nominated by the Government out of which one shall be from the main opposition political party (Ex-Officio Members); (c) Chief Secretary to the Government (Vice-Chairperson); (d) Secretary to the Government in charge of Agriculture (Ex-Officio Member); (e) Secretary to the Government in- Charge of Irrigation and Command Area Development (Ex-Officio Member); (f) Secretary to Government in- Charge Municipal Administration (Ex-Officio Member); (g) Secretary to Government in- Charge of Rural Water Supply (Ex-Officio Member); (h) Secretary to Government in- Charge of Panchayat Raj (Ex-Officio Member); (i) Secretary to Government in- Charge of Environment, Forests, Science and Technology Department (Ex-Officio Member); (j) Vice- Chancellor, Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (Ex-Officio Member); (k) Three Professors of whom one each from the faculties of Life Sciences, Earth Sciences and Engineering and Technology from the Universities in the Sate nominated by the Government for a two year term by rotation (Members); (l) Three experts in the field of water and soil conservation and economics nominated by the Government (Members); (m) Such other non-official persons not exceeding five in number who, in the opinion of the Government are interested in the conservation of natural resources of whom one each shall be from the Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes and Women respectively (Member); (n) Secretary to the Government in- Charge of Rural Development (Ex-Officio Member Secretary). (3) The term of office of the nominated members except those nominated under clause (k) of sub-section (2) shall be such as may be prescribed. (4) The members shall be entitled to such allowances as may be prescribed for attending the meetings of the authority or performing duties entrusted by the authority. (5) The Government may, in consultation with the State Authority, constitute by notification, authorities at District, Division and Mandal levels with such composition and to perform such functions in such manner as may be prescribed. (6) The Authority constituted under sub-section (1) shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal, with power to contract, acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable and to do all things necessary for the purposes of this Act and may sue and be sued by the said name. (m) Such other non-official persons not exceeding five in number who, in the opinion of the Government are interested in the conservation of natural resources of whom one each shall be from the Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes and Women respectively. (n) Secretary to the Government in- Charge of Rural Development Ex-Officio Member Secretary (3) The term of office of the nominated members except those nominated under clause (k) of sub-section (2) shall be such as may be prescribed. (4) The members shall be entitled to such allowances as may be prescribed for attending the meetings of the authority or performing duties entrusted by the authority. (5) The Government may, in consultation with the State Authority, constitute by notification, authorities at District, Division and Mandal levels with such composition and to perform such functions in such manner as may be prescribed. (6) The Authority constituted under sub-section (1) shall be a body corporate having perpetual succession and a common seal, with power to contract, acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable and to do all things necessary for the purposes of this Act and may sue and be sued by the said name.