The UTTER PRADESH WATER MANAGEMENT AND REGULATORY COMMISSION ACT, 2014

 
THE UTTAR PRADESH WATER MANAGEMENT AND 
REGULATORY COMMISSION ACT, 2014 
(U.P. ACT NO. 5 OF 2014) 
[As passed by the Uttar Pradesh Legislature and assented to 
by the Governor under Article 200 of the Constitution of India on 
dated March 4, 2014 and was published in the Uttar Pradesh 
Gazette Extraordinary dated March 4, 2014.] 
AN 
ACT 
 to provide for the establishment of the Uttar Pradesh Water 
Management  and Regulatory Commission to regulate and 
recommend the tariff for water used for agriculture, industrial,  
drinking, power and other purposes and also for l evying cess on 
land benefited by flood protection and drainage works from the 
owners of land benefited through appropriate regulatory 
instruments according to State Water Policy to assist the State for 
making policies and execution of  the water resources within the 
State, facilitate and ensure judicious, equitable and sustainable 
management, allocation and optimal utilization of water resources 
for ensuring sustainable development of the State and matters 
connected  therewith or incidental thereto. 
 IT IS HEREBY enacted in the Sixty fourth Year of the Republic 
of India as follows:- 
CHAPTER - I 
Preliminary 
Short title, 
extent and 
commencement 
1. (1) This Act may be called the Uttar Pradesh Water 
Management and Regulatory Commission Act, 2014. 
 (2) It extends to the whole of the State of Uttar Pradesh. 
(3) It shall come into force on such date as the State 
Government may, by notification, appoint. 
(4) T he provisions of this Act shall apply notwithstanding 
anything to the contrary contained in the Uttar Prades h Water Supply 
and Sewerage Act, 1975 or the Uttar Pradesh Participatory Irrigation 
Management Act, 2009 or in any other law of the State for the time 
being in force including the provisions of a Central Acts enacted under 
an entry enumerated in the State list of the Seventh Schedule to the 
Constitution of India.  
Definitions 
 
2.   In this Act unless the context otherwise requires, - 
(i) “Area of Operation” means the entire geographical area 
of Uttar Pradesh in which water is managed and supplied to 
different use sectors by public or private agency or the area 
which is benefited by flood protection and drainage works; 
 
2 
 
[The Uttar Pradesh Water Management And Regulatory Commission Act, 2014] 
 (ii) “Basin” means the area of land around a river from 
which streams run down into it; 
 (iii) “Bulk Water Entitlement” means the volumetric 
authorization given by the State t o a share of water resource 
produced by a project, river system or storage facility, for a 
specific period of time as specifically provided in the order 
granting the entitlement; 
(iv) “category of uses” means classification of  use of water 
for different purposes such as drinking and domestic, 
industrial or commercial, irrigation, power, agriculture  and 
environmental  etc. and includes such other purposes as may 
be prescribed; 
(v) “Cess” means an amount to be charged on lands 
benefited by flood protection and drainage works from 
owners/lease holders of such lands; 
(vi)  “Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the 
Commission ; 
(vii) “Commission” means the Uttar Prade sh Water 
Management   and Regulatory Commission established under 
section 3 ; 
(viii) “Entitlement” means any authorization by the State 
Government  to use the water for the specified purpose under 
this Act ; 
(ix)  “Groundwater” means the water, which exist s in an 
aquifer below the surface of the ground at any particular 
location, regardless of the geological structure in which it is 
stationary or moving and includes all groundwater reservoirs; 
(x) 
“Ground Water entitlement” means an individual or 
bulk water entitlement to a volumetric quantity of water to be 
extracted from a tube well, bore well or other well or by any 
other means of extraction of ground water, or a group or field 
or wells duly and legally permitted, registered and constructed 
in accordance with standards prescribed by the State 
Government ; 
(xi) “Individual Water Entitlement” means any 
authorization by the State Government to use the water for 
specified purpose under this Act other than bulk water 
entitlement; 
(xii) “Integrated State Water P lan” means a water plan for 
use of both surface and ground water duly approved by the 
State Government; 
(xiii) “License” means a license granted by the State 
Government in such manner as may be prescribed ; 
(xiv) “Licensee” means an individual / organization  which 
maintains the water supply system, supplies water and 
collects the water tariff; or which owns tube well / diesel 
pumping set or uses groundwater for any purpose excluding 
domestic use by exploiting groundwater as may be prescribed; 
4 
 
[The Uttar Pradesh Water Management And Regulatory Commission Act, 2014] 
 (xv) “Member” means a member of the Commission ; 
(xvi) “Notified area” means a unit/ Development Block 
falling under over exploited or critical category as may be 
defined by general or special order by the Uttar Pradesh 
Ground Water Department of the State Go vernment from time 
to time ; 
(xvii) “Prescribed Authority” means any authority at 
various levels within the water resources management system 
that has been duly authorized by the State  to determine and 
declare, on an annual or seasonal basis, the quota or amount 
of water available within a system for use as an allocated 
percentage of the entitlements duly issued by the State 
Government ; 
(xviii) “Project level entity” means a group of all water user 
entities from a common supply source within a water 
resources project; 
(xix) “Quota” means a volumetric quantity of water made 
available to an entitlement holder, which is derived by 
multiplying an entitlement by annual or seasonal allocation 
percentage; 
(xx) “Regulation” means regulations made by the 
Commission under this   Act; 
(xxi) “Selection Committee” means a selection committee 
constituted under section 6 of Chapter-II ; 
 (xxii) “Sewerage” means a system of collection of waste 
water from a community from its houses, institutions, 
industry and public places;  the pumping treatment and 
disposal of such waste water, its effluent sludge, gas and other 
end products; 
 (xxiii)  “State Water Policy” means the State Water Policy, 
1999 as amended from time to time ; 
(xxiv)  “SWARA and SWARDAC” means the State Water 
Resources Agency and the State Water Resources Data and 
Analysis Centre respectively that would work as technical 
advisors to the Commission in addition to their own works 
specified by the State Government when called for after prior 
approval of the State Government; 
(xxv)“Tariff” means 
a specific charge or set of charges 
applicable for providing water supply; 
(xxvi)“Utility” means any water user entity such as agency, 
company, person, director etc. responsible for the 
management, treatment and distribution of  water to 
agriculture, horticulture, domestic, industries municipal / 
rural water supplies  and for any other purpose as may be 
notified by the State Government; 
6 
[The Uttar Pradesh Water Management And Regulatory Commission Act, 2014] 
 (xxvii) “User of groundwater” means the person or persons 
of an institution including a company or an establishment, 
whether government or private who or which own or use 
groundwater for any purpose excluding domestic use made 
either on a personal or community basis; 
 (xxviii) “Water” means  all surface and subsurface water 
accruing in rivers or any part of a river, stream, lake, natural 
collection of water in aquifers or natural drainag e channel, 
water recycled after treatment of sewage and industrial waste 
etc., that is to say water supplies and sewerage, irrigation and 
canals, drainage and embankments, water storage and water 
power or, water in all states (solid, liquid or vapour) in storage 
or in flux within hydrologic cycle, that is necessary for a 
sustainable quality of life, as well as for sustaining the natural 
environment; 
(xxix) “Water User Entity” means any Water User entity 
including Water Users’ Association, utility, Industria l Users’ 
Association or any other group or individual which is 
authorized by the State Government to receive and utilize a 
water entitlement ; 
(xxx)  “Water availability” means availability of surface or 
ground water for use for a period or season or year which is 
rechargeable ; 
(xxxi) “Water Quality” means accessed water which is safe 
for consumption for the purpose for which it is supplied as per 
norms of Uttar Pradesh Pollution Control Board or the norms 
set by Bureau of Indian Standards. 
 
 
Establishment 
of the 
Commission 
CHAPTER - II 
Establishment of Commission 
 3. (1)  The State Government shall within three months from 
the date of commencement of this Act, by notification, establish a 
Commission to be known as the Uttar Pradesh Water Management  
and Regulatory Commission to exercise the powers conferred on, and 
to perform the functions assigned to  it under this Act. 
(2)    The Commission shall be a body corporate.  
(3)    The head office of the Commission shall be at Lucknow. 
(4)  The Commission shall  consist of a Chairperson and such 
number of    Members not exceeding five.  
(5) The Chairperson and the Members of the Commission shall 
be  appointed by the State Government on the recommendation of the 
selection committee referred to in section 6.  
Qualification 
for 
appointment of 
Chairperson 
and other 
Members of the 
Commission 
4. (1) Only such person shall be appointed as the Chairperson 
or a Member who possesses the qualifications mentioned hereunder:- 
(a) Chairperson–The Chairperson shall be a person havi ng 
bachelor’s degree of any recognized university/ institute with 
administrative experience of not less than  25 years, and must 
have held the post of Chief Secretary of the State Government 
or the Secretary to the Government of India or any post 
equivalent thereto and has experience of departments related 
to water resources .  
8 
[The Uttar Pradesh Water Management And Regulatory Commission Act, 2014] 
 (b) Members– 
(i) One Member shall be expert in the field of water 
resources having bachelor’s degree in civil engineering of any 
recognized university/ institute and having experience of at 
least 20 years of service in the field of irrigation/ water 
resources and having served as chief engineer  or any post 
equivalent thereto. 
(ii) One Member shall be an expert from the field of water 
resources economy having master’s degree in 
economics/commerce/MBA with finance/accountancy. He 
must have at least 20 years of experience, having worked as a 
professor in a reputed institute of management  or as a whole 
time director in a financial institution specified under section 
4A of the Companies Act, 1956 or as a whole time director in a 
scheduled bank within the meaning of the Reser ve Bank of 
India Act, 1934 or have a substantial professional background 
of finance, regulation, tariff structuring etc.. 
(iii) One Member shall be an expert in the field of drinking  
water and waste water management having bachelor’s degree 
in civil/public healt h/environmental 
engineering of any 
recognized university/institute. He  must  have  at  least  20  
years experience having worked in the fiel d of urban/rural 
water supply /drainage/sewerage and waste water manage-
ment and having served as chief engineer  or any post 
equivalent thereto with particular experience in ground water 
development for water supply and large water treatment 
plants. 
(iv) One Member shall be an exp ert in the field of 
agriculture/land management having b achelor’s degree in 
agriculture/agriculture engineeri ng of any recognized 
university/institute. He must have at least 20 years experience 
having worked in the field o f agriculture/ industry/ teaching / 
research. 
(v) One Member shall be expert in the field of water 
tubewells/pump canals/ ground water exploration and studies 
/rain water harvesting and allied important mechanical / 
minor irrigation works having bachelor’s deg ree in mechanical 
engineering /master’s degree in geology or geo -physics of any 
recognized university/ institute and having experien ce of at 
least 20 years of service and having served as chief engineer / 
superintending engineer or any post equivalent thereto. 
 (2)  The Chairperson or any Member of the Commission shall 
not hold any other office during his / her tenure as such. 
(3) The Chairperson shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the 
Commission. 
(4) Where the Chairperson is unable to discharge his 
functions owing to absence, illness, death, resignation or any other 
cause or where any vacancy occurs of the office of the Chairperso n, 
any Member nominated by the State Government and  the absence of 
such nomination or where there is no Chairperson any member 
chosen by the Members present among themselves, shall exercise the 
powers and discharge the duties of the Chairperson. 
10 
[The Uttar Pradesh Water Management And Regulatory Commission Act, 2014] 
Disqualification 
for being the 
Chairperson or 
a Member 
 
5. A person shall be disqualified for appointment as the 
Chairperson or a Member, if he: — 
(a)  has been adjudged as insolvent; or 
(b) has become physically or m entally incapable of acting; 
or 
(c)  has been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for 
any offence involving moral turpitude; or 
(d) has acquired such financial or other interest as is likely 
to affect his functions as the Chairperson or a Member; or 
(e) has so abused his position as to render his continuance 
in office prejudicial to the public interest; or 
(f)  is an  sitting  /ex Member of Parliament, or of any State 
Legislature or any local Commission or is a candidate for 
election thereto ; or 
(g) is an acti ve member of a political party or holds a post 
therein. 
Constitution 
and function of 
the Selection 
Committee 
   6. (1) The State Government shall, by notification, constitute 
a selection committee, for the purposes of making appointments of the 
Chairperson and other Members under sub -section (5) of section 3. 
The Committee shall consist of ; 
(a) the Chief Secretary, Government of        : ex officio President   
President; Uttar Pradesh 
 (b) the Agricultural Production Commissioner,  
Government of Uttar Pradesh                                  : ex officio Member; 
(c) the Industrial Development Commissioner,  
Government of Uttar Pradesh                       : ex officio Member;  
 (d) the Principal Secretary to the Government  
of Uttar Pradesh in the Finance Department.   :ex officio Member; 
(e) the Principal Secretary to the Government of   
Uttar Pradesh in Urban Development Department  :ex officio Member;                                                       
(f) the Principal Secretary to the Government of  
Uttar Pradesh in Energy Department      :ex officio Member; 
(g) the Principal Secretary to the Government of  
Uttar Pradesh in Ground Water  and Minor Irrigation  
Department            :ex officio Member; 
(h) the Principal Secretary to the Government of  
Uttar Pradesh in Irrigation Department      :ex officio Member-      
Secretary; 
 (i) any independent technical expert or experts invited by the 
President related to the expertise required of the member/members. 
  (2) The State Government shall within one month from the 
date of occurrence of any vacancy by reason of death, resignation or 
removal and six months before the superannuation or end of tenure 
of the Chairperson or a Member, make a reference to the selection 
committee for filling up of the vacancy. 
12 
[The Uttar Pradesh Water Management And Regulatory Commission Act, 2014] 
 (3) The selection committee while making selection of the 
Chairperson and the Members, shall have due regard to performance 
record, ability, integrity, character, qualifications and experience of 
the person propo sed to be selected as Chairperson or any other 
Member as the case may be. 
(4) The selection committee shall finalize the selection of the 
Members within two months from the date on which the reference is 
made to it. 
(5) The selection committee shall recommend a pa nel of two 
names for every vacancy referred to it. 
(6) A person who is considered for selection as the 
Chairperson or a Member shall notify to the selection committee: - 
(a) of any office, employment or consultancy agreement or 
arrangement which the person or his relative has in his own 
name or in any firm, association of persons or body corporate, 
owned or otherwise controlled by any of them carrying on any 
of the following business:  
(i) diversion of surface water, distribution of water, 
extraction of ground water or supply of water; 
(ii) manufacture, sale, lease, hire or otherwise supply of or 
dealing in machinery, plant equipment, apparatus or fittings 
related to water industry; 
(iii) any entity providing any professional services to any of 
the businesses referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above. 
(b) 
such other details and information as may be 
prescribed by the selection committee. 
(7) The details received from the persons referred to in sub -
section (6) shall be placed for consideration of the selection com mittee 
at the time of selection and recommendation of the person for 
appointment as the Chairperson or a Member. 
 (8) The Chairperson and each Member shall, before taking 
charge of the office, divest himself from the interest in the businesses 
mentioned in sub-section (6) as a condition of his or her appointment. 
(9) 
If a person to be appointed as the Chairperson or a 
Member holds any office under the State or Central Government or 
any public sector corporation or any government body or is gainfully 
employed or engaged in service by any other person, government 
authorities, public or private sector or otherwise, he shall submit his 
resignation or take voluntary retirement from that service before 
joining the Commission. 
(10)   So long as a person holds the office of the Chairperson 
or a Member and for a period of two years after he ceases to be the 
Chairperson or a Member for any reason whatsoever, he shall not 
acquire, hold or maintain, directly or indirectly any office, 
employment or consultancy arrangemen t or any financial interest in 
any of the businesses mentioned in sub -section (6) and if he acquires 
any such interest involuntarily or by way of succession or 
testamentary disposition he will divest himself of the interest within a 
period of three months of such interest being acquired. 
14 
[The Uttar Pradesh Water Management And Regulatory Commission Act, 2014] 
 (11)  Before recommending any person, the selection 
committee shall satisfy itself that such person does not have any 
financial or other interest as referred to in sub -section (6) which is 
likely to affect prejudicially his functions as the Chairperson or a 
Member. 
(12) All decisions of the selection committee shall be by a 
majority. 
(13) The procedure for selection and appointment of the 
Chairperson and the Members shall be such as may be prescribed. 
(14)  No appointment of the Chairperson or a Member shall b e 
invalid merely by reason of any vacancy in the selection committee. 
Terms of office 
and conditions 
of service of 
the   
Chairperson 
and the 
Members 
 
7. (1) The Chairperson or a Member shall hold office for a term 
of two years from the date he enters upon his office : 
Provided that the Chairperson or a Member may be re-
appointed but not for more than two consecutive terms : 
Provided further that the Chairperson or a Member shall not 
hold office after he has attained the age of sixty five years. 
 (2) The Chairperson or any Member may relinquish his office 
at any time, by giving in writing to the Governor a notice of one 
month or may be removed from his office in accordance with the 
provisions of section 8. 
(3) The Chairperson shall, before entering upon his office, 
make and subscribe an oath of office and secrecy before the Governor 
or any other person nominated by him and every member before the 
Chairperson in such form as may be prescribed. 
(4) The salary and allowances payable to, and other terms and 
conditions of service of the Chairperson or the Members shall be such 
as may be prescribed. 
(5) The salary, allowances and other conditions of service of 
the Chairperson or the Members shall not be varied to their 
disadvantage after appointment. 
(6) The Chairpe rson or a Member ceasing to hold office as 
such shall not, 
(a) be eligible for further employment under the State 
Government for a period of two years from the date he ceases 
to hold such office except with the permission of State 
Government; 
 (b) accept any commercial employment for a period of two 
years from the date he ceases to hold such office; and 
(c) represent any person before the Commission in any 
manner. 
 Explanation: — for the purposes of this sub-section —  
(i) “Employment under the State Gove rnment” includes 
employment under a local body or any other Commission within the 
territory of India under the control of any State Government or under 
any corporation or society owned or controlled by the State 
Government. 
 
16 
[The Uttar Pradesh Water Management And Regulatory Commission Act, 2014] 
 (ii) “Commercial Employment” means employment in any 
capacity under, or agency of, a person engaged in commercial , 
industrial or financial business in the water resources related 
industry and includes also a director of a company or partner of a 
firm and it also includes setting up practice either independently or 
as partner of a firm or as an advisor or a consultant. 
Removal of the 
Chairperson or 
a Member 
8. (1) Subject to the provisions of sub -section (2),  the 
Chairperson or any Member shall only be removed from his office by 
the State Government on the ground of proved misbehavior after the 
panel of three enquiry officers  appointed from  the officers  equivalent 
to Secretary to the Government for  this purpose on reference being 
made to them by the State Government, has, on enquiry, held by the 
panel and in consultation with the leader or opposition  reported tha t 
the Chairperson or the Member ought on any such ground to be 
removed : 
Provided that such Chairperson or any Member may be 
removed from his office on the basis of such enquiry report only on 
the recommendation of the panel headed by the Chief Minister, t he 
Minister of Irrigation and the leader of opposition as members thereof.  
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the 
State Government may, by order, remove the Chairperson or a 
Member from his office if he has incurred any of the disquali fications 
mentioned in section 5. 
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub -section (2), the 
Chairperson or a member shall be removed from his office on the 
ground specified in clause (b), clause (d) or clause (e) of section 5 as 
per the process given in sub-section (1).  
(4) The State Government shall pass suitable order in 
accordance with the report referred to in sub- section (1) or sub -
section (3), as the case may be, and the final decision of the State 
Government shall be communicated to the Chairpe
rson or other 
Member concerned within a period of 30 days of receipt of such 
report. 
Power of State 
Government to 
depute officers 
and employees 
to the 
Commission 
and their 
service 
conditions 
 
9. (1) The Commission may appoint a Secretary not below the 
rank of Superintending Engineer, either working or retired, having 
bachelor’s degree in civil/mechanical engineering of any recognized 
university/ institute and having experience in the field of water 
sector, to exercise and perform such duties, under the con trol of the 
Chairperson, as may be specified by regulations. 
(2) The Commission shall obtain necessary inputs from State 
Water Resources Agency/ State Water Resources Data and Analysis 
Centre, that would work as technical advisors to the Commission in 
addition to their own works specified by the State Government. The 
Commission may appoint such number of officers and employees as it 
considers necessary for the performance of its duties and functions, 
with prior approval of the State Government. 
18 
[The Uttar Pradesh Water Management And Regulatory Commission Act, 2014] 
 (3) The salaries and allowances payable to and other 
conditions of service of the Secretary, officers and other employees of 
the Commission shall be such as may be determined by the 
regulations. 
(4) Save as otherwise provided in this section, the terms and 
conditions of services of employees on deputation to the Commission 
shall not be less advantageous than those applicable to them 
immediately before deputation and shall not be varied to their 
disadvantage. 
(5) The State Government shall appoint any Government 
officer or employee on deputation to the Commission on the proposal 
made by the Commission in this regard. 
(6) The period of deputation of any such officer or employee to 
the Commission shall be three years except when any such person is 
required to be repatriated on the grounds, such as promotion, 
reversion, term ination or superannuation or any other reason of 
deputation, he shall stand repatriated to service under the State 
Government: 
Provided that during the period of such deputation all matters 
relating to the pay, leave, allowances, retirement, pension, provi dent 
fund and other conditions of service of the employees on deputation 
shall be regulated by the Uttar Pradesh Civil Services Rules or such 
other rules as may, from time to time, be made by the State 
Government. 
(7) The Commission may appoint consultants  required to 
assist the Commission in the discharge of its functions on such terms 
and conditions as may be determined by regulations. 
Proceedings of 
the 
Commission 
 
10. (1) The Commission shall meet at such time and place 
within the State as the Chairper son may think fit and shall observe 
such rules of procedure in transaction of business at its meetings 
(including the quorum at its meetings) as may be determined by 
regulations. 
(2)  The Chairperson or if he is unable to attend a meeting of 
the Commission , a member nominated by the Chairperson in this 
behalf and, in the absence of such nomination or where there is no 
Chairperson, any Member chosen by the Members present from 
among themselves, shall preside over the meeting. 
(3)  All matters which come up before the Commission shall be 
decided by a majority of votes of the Members present and voting and 
in the event of an equality of votes, the Chairperson or person 
presiding shall have the right to exercise a second or casting vote. 
(4) All decisions, direc tions and orders of the Commission 
shall be in writing supported by reasons and shall be available for 
inspection by any person and copies of the same shall also be made 
available in such manner as the Commission may determine. 
(5) The Commission shall regulate its own procedure. 
(6) All orders and decisions of the Commission shall be 
authenticated by the Secretary or any other officer of the Commission 
duly authorized by the Secretary in this behalf. 
20 
[The Uttar Pradesh Water Management And Regulatory Commission Act, 2014] 
Vacancies etc, 
not to 
invalidate act 
or proceedings 
11. No act or proceedings of the Commission shall be 
questioned or shall be invalidated merely on the ground of existence 
of any vacancy or defect in the constitution of the Commission. 
 
 
Powers and 
functions of 
the 
Commission 
 
CHAPTER III 
POWERS, FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION 
 12.  The Commission shall exercise the following powers and 
perform the following functions, namely: - 
(a) to fix and regulate water tariff system and charges for 
surface and sub-surface water used for domestic, a griculture, 
industrial and other purposes; 
(b) to determine and regulate the distribution of 
entitlement for various categories of uses as well as within 
each category of use; 
(c) to periodically review and monitor the water sector 
costs and revenues;  
(d) to determine the rate of cess to be charged from owner 
of lands benefited by flood protection and drainage works 
implemented under new projects; 
(e)  to advise the State Government for  the Integrated 
State Water Plan / Basin Plans developed by State Water 
Resources Agency to ensure sustainable management of water 
resources within the parameters laid down by State Water 
Policy  as amended from time to time; 
(f) to determine the allocation and distribution of 
entitlements for various sectoral  water requirement  as per 
the State Water policy.  
(g) to review and accord clearance to new water resources 
projects proposed at the river basin / sub -basin level by the 
concerned entity ensuring that the proposal is in conformity 
with Integrated State Water Plan specially with respect to th e 
water allocation of each entity, that is economically, hydro -
geologically and environmentally viable;  
(h) to establish a system of enforcement, monitoring and 
measurement of the entitlements for the use of water to 
ensure that the actual use of water, both in quantity and type 
of use are in compliance with the entitlements; 
(i) to monitor conservation of environment and facilitate 
the development of a framework for the preservation and 
protection of the quality of surface and ground water 
resources as per established norms and standards; 
(j) to promote competition, efficiency  and economy in the 
activities of the water and wastewater sector to minimize 
wastage of water;  
(k) to promote  better water management techniques and 
practices; 
(l) to enforce rain water harvesting to  augment ground 
water recharge; 
 
22 
[The Uttar Pradesh Water Management And Regulatory Commission Act, 2014] 
 (m) to enforce the decisions or orders issued under this 
Act by a suitable agency or empower to any existing agency 
for this purpose; 
(n) to aid and advise the State Government on any matter 
referred to the Commission by the State Government; 
The above powers and functions from (d) to (n) are 
recommendatory/ advisory in nature and will take place subject to 
the approval by the competent authority of the State Government. 
General 
policies of the 
Commission 
13. (1) The Commission shall work within the framework of the 
State Water Policy;  
 (2) The Commission shall advise the State Government to 
promote sound water conservation and management practices 
throughout the State in accordance with State Water Policy t hrough 
the implementing agencies in the State; 
(3)  The Commission shall support and aid the enhancement 
and preservation of water quality within the State in close co -
ordination with the relevant State agencies. 
Powers to issue 
directions 
 
14. The State Government may from time to time issue 
directions not inconsistent with this Act. 
Water supply 
and overall 
performance 
standard 
15.  The Commission may advise, when called for by the State 
Government from time to time to ;  
(a) determine such standards of  overall performance in 
respect of water supply services and promotion of the efficient use of 
water by consumers, as in its opinion, are economical and ought to 
be achieved by such licensees, and different standards may be 
determined for different licensees; and 
(b) publish the standards so determined in such form and in 
such manner as the Commission may consider proper. 
Restriction on 
disclosure of 
information 
 
16. (1) Save as otherwise provided in this Act,  information in 
respect of any person or busin ess which, has been furnished to, or 
obtained by, the Commission under this Act shall be treated as 
classified  and shall not be disclosed by the Commission, without the 
consent of the concerned person or the p erson in -
charge of the 
business : 
Provided that such information may be disclosed to the 
Central Government, the State Government, Accountant General of 
the State or a person who requires it in connection with the discharge 
of  statutory duties. 
(2) The restriction contained in sub -section (1) shall n ot apply 
to the information related to tariff. 
(3) Information in possession of the Commission shall be kept 
confidential and may be furnished to any person or agency only with 
the permission of the Commission. 
 
 
 
 
Grants by the 
State 
Government to 
the 
Commission 
 
CHAPTER – IV 
ACCOUNTS, AUDIT AND REPORT 
17. (1) The State Government shall after due appropriation 
made by the State Legislature by law in this behalf, pay to the 
Commission by way of grants such sums of money as the State 
Government may think fi t for being utilized for the purposes of  
this Act : 
24 
[The Uttar Pradesh Water Management And Regulatory Commission Act, 2014] 
 Provided that expenditure in respect of salaries and 
allowances of the Chairperson and other Members shall be charged 
on the Consolidated Fund of the State. 
(2) The Commission may spend such sums as it thinks fit for 
performing the functions under this Act, and such sums shall be 
treated as expenditure payable out of the grants referred to in sub -
section (1) and may also charge fee towards expenditure of the 
Commission. 
Accounts and 
audit 
 
18. (1) The Commission shall mai ntain proper accounts and 
other relevant records and shall cause to be prepared an annual 
statement of accounts in such form as may be prescribed by the 
Government in consultation with Accountant General. 
(2) The accounts of the Commission shall be audited  by the 
Accountant General, Uttar Pradesh, or any officer authorized by him 
in this behalf at such intervals as may be specified by Government 
and any expenditure incurred in connection with such audit shall be 
payable by the Commission to the Accountant General. 
 (3) The copies of annual statement of accounts of the 
Commission together with the audit report thereon shall be 
forwarded to the State Government. 
(4)  A copy of the annual statement of accounts of the 
Commission together with the audit report thereon received by the 
State Government under sub- section (3) shall be laid before each 
house of the State Legislature. 
Annual report 
of the 
Commission 
 
19. (1) The Commission shall prepare, in such form and at 
such time, for each financial year, as may b e prescribed, its annual 
report, giving a full account of its activities during the previous 
financial year and copies thereof shall be forwarded to the State 
Government. 
(2)  The State Government shall cause the annual report to be 
laid, as soon as may be, after it is received, before each house of the 
State Legislature. 
 
 
Chairperson, 
Members and 
staff of the 
Commission to 
be public 
servants
 
CHAPTER – V 
MISCELLANEOUS 
 20. The Chairperson, Members and other employees of the 
Commission shall be deemed to b e public servants within the 
meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code. 
Power to make 
rules 
 
21. (1) The State Government may, by notification, make rules 
for carrying out the purposes of this Act. 
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the 
power contained in sub -section (1), such rules may provide for all or 
any of the following matters, namely:— 
(a) the procedure to be adopted by the selection committee 
for selection and appointment of the Chairperson and the 
Members; 
(b) the form  and manner in which the accounts of the 
Commission shall be maintained; and 
(c) any other matter which is required to be, or may be, 
prescribed. 
26 
[The Uttar Pradesh Water Management And Regulatory Commission Act, 2014] 
Power to make 
regulations 
 
22. (1) The Commission may make regulations not 
inconsistent with this Act or the rules made thereunder for the 
efficient performance of its functions under this Act. 
(2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the 
provisions of sub- section (1), such regulations may provide for all or 
any of the following matters, namely: — 
(a) The administration of the affairs of the Commission in 
the exercise of its functions; 
(b) Determination of the functions to be assigned to 
licensees and other persons involved in the purchase, 
distribution or supply of water, the man ner in which such 
functions shall be discharged and the procedures to be adopted 
and enforced in regard to the operation and maintenance of 
water supply system;   
(c) The procedure and the conditions for the grant of 
licenses, the particulars and documents to be made available 
by the persons applying for licenses, the standards and general 
conditions subject to which the license shall be granted, the 
grant of exemptions from the requirement of a license, the 
revocation and amendment of licenses and the effect t hereof 
and all matters related thereto; 
 (d) The duties, powers, rights and obligations of licensees; 
(e) The particulars to be furnished, and the form and 
manner for furnishing information, particulars, documents, 
accounts and books by the persons involved in th e water 
distribution and supply or use of water; 
(f) The terms and conditions and the procedure for 
determination of revenues and tariffs; 
(g) The determination of the standards of performance of 
the persons involved in the distribution or supply of water in 
the State; 
(h) The fees and charges payable by the licensee and the 
consumer of water; 
(i) The amount of fines and penalties to be imposed for 
violation of the provisions of this Act including the method and 
manner of imposition of fines and penalties and collection of 
the same; 
(j) Any other matter which is required to be, or may be, 
provided by regulations. 
 23. (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions 
of this Act, by reasons of anything contained in this Act, or any other 
enactment for the time being in force, the State Government may, as 
the occasion requires, by order direct that this Act shall, during a 
period not exceeding twelve months after the date of such order have 
effect subject to such adaptations, whether by way of modif ications, 
addition or omission, as it may deem to be necessary and expedient. 
(2) No order under sub -section (1) shall be made after the 
expiration of a period of two years from the commencement of this 
Act. 
 
28 
[The Uttar Pradesh Water Management And Regulatory Commission Act, 2014] 
STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS 
 Water scarcity and its deteriorating quality is becoming apparent in the 
moisture sufficient State of Uttar Pradesh which shall get more pronounced with 
increasing population. Water is a b asic human need and one of the most crucial 
elements in development planning. The planning of this limited resource has to be 
guided by development perceptions of the State which would inter-alia account for 
geographical conditions, hydrological status (su rface and under ground water), water 
allocation priorities and other specific needs. 
 It is incumbent on the State to put the limited and scarce water resources in 
most economical, efficient and sustainable use to promote its optimal use for drinking 
water, agro and non -agro industries, irrigation, hydro -power, ecology, navigation and 
other uses as per the priorities fixed in State Water Policy from time to time. It is the 
duty of the State Government to monitor that the under- ground aquifers are sustained 
and the river water is exploited keeping in the view the ecological balance of the river 
systems. It is also the responsibility of the State Government to maintain both quantity 
and quality of the water with suitable measures required to be taken with best  of 
technology and management practices available in working out equitable and 
sustainable distribution of water. The State Government is also responsible to establish 
a water tariff system and fix criteria for water charges with a view to ensuring proper 
administration, operation and maintenance of water carrier systems for the use and 
consumption of water. 
 In order to ensure proper utilization of natural water resources of the State it 
has been decided to make a law to provide for the establishment of th e Uttar Pradesh 
Water Management and Regulatory Commission to regulate the water resources within 
the State. Facilitate and ensure judicious equitable and sustainable management, 
allocation and optimal utilization of water resources for environmentally, economically 
sustainable development of the State, fix the rates for water use for agriculture, 
industrial, drinking, power and other purposes and cess on lands benefited by flood 
protection and drainage works from the owners of lands benefited through appropriate 
regulatory instruments according to State Water policy. 
 The Uttar Pradesh Water Management and Regulatory Commission Bill, 2014 is 
introduced accordingly.  
 
 
 
30 
 
 
2 
 

‹ Prev All Uttar Pradesh acts