The Damodar Valley Corporation Act, 1948

The Damodar Valley Corporation Act, 1948

General194860 sections

The Damodar Valley Corporation Act, 1948, established an autonomous body to oversee the comprehensive development of the Damodar Valley across West Bengal and Bihar. This law regulates essential regional services, including flood control, irrigation, thermal and hydro-electric power generation, and environmental conservation efforts such as afforestation and soil erosion control. It applies to the Central Government and participating State Governments, who provide necessary capital and share the resulting financial profits or deficits. Ultimately, the Act matters because it transforms a destructive river into a vital resource, driving economic growth, public health, and industrial stability for the entire region.

  1. 1. Short title, extent and commencement.
  2. 2. Interpretation.
  3. 3. Incorporation.
  4. 4. Constitution of the Corporation.
  5. 5. Conditions of service of members.
  6. 6. Appointment of officers and servants.
  7. 7. Conditions of service of officers and servants.
  8. 8. Functions and duties of members.
  9. 9. General disqualification of all officers and servants.
  10. 10. Appointment of Advisory Committee.
  11. 11. Limits of Damodar Valley and area of operations.
  12. 12. Functions of the Corporation.
  13. 13. Provision for irrigation and water-supply.
  14. 14. Rates for supply of water for irrigation.
  15. 15. Rates for supply of water for industrial and domestic purposes.
  16. 16. Supply of water to those whose supply has been stopped or reduced.
  17. 17. Construction of dam, etc., prohibited except with the approval of the Corporation.
  18. 18. Omitted
  19. 19. Omitted
  20. 20. Charges for supply of electrical energy.
  21. 21. Other activities of the Corporation.
  22. 22. General powers of the Corporation.
  23. 23. Power to close roads and open spaces.
  24. 24. Powers under certain other enactments.
  25. 25. Co-operation with other authorities to minimise inconvenience caused by submersion.
  26. 26. Submersion of coal mines to be avoided by the Corporation.
  27. 27. Expenditure till the Corporation is established.
  28. 28. Vesting of property in the Corporation.
  29. 29. Fund of the Corporation.
  30. 30. Liabilities of participating Governments to provide capital to the Corporation.
  31. 31. Payment by participating Government on specified date.
  32. 32. Expenditure on objects other than irrigation, power and flood control.
  33. 33. Allocation of expenditure chargeable to project on main objects.
  34. 34. Capital allocated to irrigation
  35. 35. Capital allocated to power.
  36. 36. Capital allocated to flood control.
  37. 37. Disposal of profits and deficits.
  38. 38. Payment of interest
  39. 39. Interest charge and other expenses to be added to and receipts taken for reduction of capital cost.
  40. 40. Provision for depreciation and reserve and other funds.
  41. 41. Corporation's share in betterment levy by State Governments.
  42. 42. . Borrowing of money
  43. 43. Liability to pay Central taxes.
  44. 44. Budget.
  45. 45. Annual report.
  46. 46. Other annual financial statements.
  47. 47. Accounts and audit.
  48. 48. Directions by the Central Government
  49. 49. Disputes between the Corporation and Governments.
  50. 50. . Compulsory acquisition of land for the Corporation.
  51. 51. . Control of Central Government.
  52. 52. Application of certain provisions of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, to the forests of the Corporation.
  53. 53. Punishment.
  54. 54. Procedure for prosecution.
  55. 55. Power of entry.
  56. 56. Members, officers and servants of the Corporation to be public servants.
  57. 57. Protection of action taken under the Act.
  58. 58. Effect of other laws.
  59. 59. Power to make rules.
  60. 60. Power to make regulations.

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