Chapter III Chapter III

Powers, Functions and Duties of the Board

Fees and allowances.—

1. (1) The official members of the Board shall not be entitled to receive any remuneration other than the remuneration they are entitled to as servants of the Government.
2. (2) The non-official members of the Board shall be entitled to receive such fees and allowances for attending the meetings of the Board or any of its committees as may be prescribed by rules.

Appointment of officers and staff of the Board.—

1. (1) The State Government shall appoint a Member-Secretary of the Board.
2. (2) Subject to the provisions of section 16, the Board may appoint such other officers and employees as it considers necessary for the efficient performance of its functions: Provided that the appointment of such officers and employees as may be specified by the State Government, shall be subject to the previous approval of the State Government.
3. (3) The conditions of appointment and service and the scales of pay of the officers and employees appointed under sub-section
4. (2) shall—
   • (a) as respects the officers and employees transferred to the Board under section 16, be such as may be determined by the State Government;
   • (b) as respects the officers and employees not covered by clause (a), be such as may be prescribed by regulations.

Power of Board to provide for transfer of officers and servants.

1. (1) The Board may, if it considers it expedient so to do, provide for the transfer of the services of the officers and servants of a local body employed in the water supply and sewerage services to the Board.
2. (2) On such transfer, the officers and servants shall be entitled to such terms and conditions of service as may be determined by the Board and shall be entitled to receive from the Board superannuation and other benefits to which they were entitled while in the service of the local body.

Functions of the Board.

1. (1) The functions of the Board shall be—
   • (a) to advise the State Government on all matters relating to the planning and execution of water supply and sewerage schemes;
   • (b) to prepare, execute, promote and finance schemes for the supply of water and for the sewerage and sewage disposal in the State;
   • (c) to manage, operate, maintain and control all water supply and sewerage undertakings managed by or under the control of the State Government;
   • (d) to provide water supply and sewerage services to local bodies and to users;
   • (e) to carry out research and development in relation to water supply and sewerage;
   • (f) to provide for the training of its officers and servants and the officers and servants of local bodies in the field of water supply and sewerage;
   • (g) to perform such other functions as may be assigned to it by the State Government by notification in the Official Gazette.

General powers of the Board

1. (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Board shall have power to do all things necessary or expedient for the purpose of carrying out its functions under this Act.
2. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provision, such power shall include the power—
   • (a) to inspect, survey, maintain, alter, improve, extend, repair, engineer, construct and operate water works and sewerage works;
   • (b) to acquire, hold and dispose of movable and immovable property;
   • (c) to enter into contracts;
   • (d) to provide for the training of its officers and servants;
   • (e) to appoint such officers and servants as the Board may consider necessary for the efficient performance of its functions.

Power of Board to give instructions to local bodies The Board may give such instructions to any local body as in the opinion of the Board are necessary—

1. (a) to ensure a proper and efficient water supply and sewerage service;
2. (b) to ensure that the water supply and sewerage works, whether belonging to the Board or to the local body, are maintained in a proper and efficient condition;
3. (c) to prevent the pollution of any water under the control of the Board or any local body.

Power of Board to execute works in cases of emergency. —

1. (1) Where it appears to the Managing Director that the immediate execution of any work is necessary for the safety of the public or for the prevention of waste of water or for the prevention of pollution of water or for the prevention of damage to any property or for the immediate restoration of any water supply or sewerage service, the Managing Director may execute such work without the previous approval of the Board.
2. (2) The Managing Director shall, as soon as may be thereafter, report the action taken under sub-section
3. (1) and the reasons therefor to the Board at its next meeting.

Power of Board to turn or close public streets or recreation grounds. —

1. (1) The Board may turn, divert, discontinue or close temporarily any public street or any portion thereof or any public recreation ground vested in it, or cause the same to be turned, diverted, discontinued or closed, for the purpose of carrying out any water supply or sewerage work.
2. (2) Whenever any public street or public recreation ground or portion thereof is turned, diverted, discontinued or closed, the Board shall, as soon as may be, cause the street or recreation ground or portion thereof so turned, diverted, discontinued or closed, to be reinstated or to be provided with such means of access as was available before it was so turned, diverted, discontinued or closed.
3. (3) In executing works under this section, the Board shall provide, so far as may be reasonably practicable, a substitute for any street or recreation ground or portion thereof, which is likely to be affected by such works, and shall pay reasonable compensation to any person who suffers damage by such works.