AREA WATER BOARDS
j) to function as a multi-stakeholder platform for discussions on water allocation:
· receive complaints from water users at branch level and study these;
· call meetings if required;
· communicate opinions of the stakeholders at branch level;
· negotiate changes in allocation and or rights if needed;
k) to negotiate changes of priorities or the inclusion of new users if needed in close coordination with the WAC at the AWB level;
l) to publish an annual report bringing together all the published disclosures, providing information on the meetings held, and highlighting the major decisions taken and suggestions made for improvement of reliable water delivery and improved transparency.
36. Community Advisory Committees
1) For the purpose of a smooth interaction with the local communities in which the AWBs operate, each AWB may establish a CAC.
2) The CAC shall consist of:-
(a) two representatives of the AWB;
(b) four representatives of the FO in whose command area the issue is at stake. Of the representatives of the FO two shall be tail end farmers who shall not be members of the General Body of their FO's;
(c) The CAC may co-opt independent specialists as advisory members of the committee who may be different specialist for every issue under consideration.
3) Subject to sub-sections (1) and (2), the provisions of section 14 shall mutatis mutandis apply to the CAC.
37. Duty not to extend to provision of new supply –
An AWB shall not be required by virtue of this section to provide a new supply to any Council, or to any agricultural, commercial or industrial body, or to take any steps to enable it to provide such a supply, if, to do so, would entail failure to meet all its existing obligations to supply, or to incur unreasonable expenditure in carrying out works.
38. AWB's power in respect of toxic or noxious effluent –
Subject to anything to the contrary in an AWB's regulations, the AWB shall have power -
1) to monitor the disposal of toxic or noxious effluent safely and with minimum
pollution of water resources;
(2) to demand and recover charges as may be prescribed by the AWB from any person to whom the AWB provides service under sub-section (1) ; and
(3) to notify the Regulatory Authority of offences in respect of toxic or noxious effluent committed within the AWB's jurisdiction.
39. Sections applicable to AWBs –
The provisions of sections 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 27 shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to an AWB.
