Section 78 of The Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 in hindi — Rights and liabilities in regard to Bhakra-Nangal and Beas Projects

Bare section text

Official Legislative Text

(1)Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act but subject to the provisions of sections 79 and 80, all rights and liabilities of the existing State of Punjab in relation to Bhakra-Nangal Project and Beas Project shall, on the appointed day, be the rights and liabilities of the successor States in such proportion as may be fixed, and subject to such adjustments as may be made, by agreement entered into by the said States after consultation with the Central Government or, if no such agreement is entered into within two years of the appointed day, as the Central Government may by order determine having regard to the purposes of the Projects: Provided that the order so made by the Central Government may be varied by any subsequent agreement entered into by the successor States after consultation with the Central Government.
(2)An agreement or order referred to in sub-section (1) shall, if there has been an extension or further development of either of the projects referred to in that sub-section after the appointed day, provide also for the rights and liabilities of the successor States in relation to such extension or further development.
(3)The rights and liabilities referred to in sub-sections (1) and (2) shall include
1. (a)the rights to receive and to utilise the water available for distribution as a result of the projects, and
2. (b)the rights to receive and to utilise the power generated as a result of the projects, but shall not include the rights and liabilities under any contract entered into before the appointed day by the Government of the existing State of Punjab with any person or authority other than Government.
(4)In this section and in sections 79 and 80,—
1. (A)"Beas Project" means the works which are either under construction or are to be constructed as components of the Beas-Sutlej Link Project (Unit I) and Pong Dam Project on the Beas river (Unit II) including—
  1. (i)Beas-Sutlej Link Project (Unit I) comprising—
2. (a)Pandoh Dam and works appurtenant thereto,
3. (b)Pandoh-Baggi Tunnel,
4. (c)Sundernagar Hydel Channel,
5. (d)Sundernagar-Sutlej Tunnel,
6. (e)By-pass Tunnel,
7. (f)four generating units each of 165 M.W. capacity at Dehar Power House on the right side of Sutlej river,
8. (g)fifth generating unit of 120 M.W. capacity at Bhakra Right Bank Power House,
9. (h)transmission lines,
  1. (i)Balancing Reservoir;
  2. (ii)Pong Dam Project (Unit II) comprising—
10. (a)Pong Dam and works appurtenant thereto,
11. (b)Outlet Works,
12. (c)Penstock Tunnels,
13. (d)Power plant with four generating units of 60 M.W. each;
  1. (iii)such other works as are ancillary to the works aforesaid and are of common interest to more than one State;
14. (B)"Bhakra-Nangal Project" means—
  1. (i)Bhakra Dam, Reservoir and works appurtenant thereto;
  2. (ii)Nangal Dam and Nangal-Hydel Channel;
  3. (iii)Bhakra Main Line and canal system;
  4. (iv)Bhakra Left Bank Power House, Ganguwal Power House and Kotla Power House, switchyards, sub-stations and transmission lines;
  5. (v)Bhakra Right Bank Power House with four units of 120 M.W. each.

Educational Study Layer

Summary

This section divides the rights and responsibilities for the Bhakra-Nangal and Beas water and power projects among the newly created states.
The states have two years from the official changeover date to make an agreement on how to share these rights.
If the states cannot agree within two years, the Central Government will step in and issue an order to divide the resources fairly.
The sharing rules cover both the water supply and the electricity generated by these specific projects.
These rules do not affect or cancel private contracts that the old Punjab government made with non-government people or companies before the changeover.

Practical examples

1Amar is a farmer in the new state of Haryana who relies on canal water for his crops. This section ensures his state government receives a specific, legal share of water from the Bhakra Dam so his farm does not dry up.

2A large factory in Rajasthan buys electricity to run its machines. This section guarantees that power generated by the newly defined Beas Project is divided up properly so the factory can continue receiving its power supply.

FAQ

1. How does Section 78 of the 1966 Punjab Reorganisation Act divide water rights?

Under Section 78 of the Act, the successor states must try to agree on sharing water and power from the projects, and if they cannot agree within two years, the Central Government will determine the proportions by an official order.

2. Does Section 78 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act cancel my private contract with the old Punjab government?

No, Section 78 of the 1966 Reorganisation Act specifically states that the sharing of rights and liabilities does not include private contracts made before the appointed day with any person or authority outside the Government.

3. What is included in the Beas Project under Section 78 of the Punjab Reorganisation law?

Section 78 of the law defines the Beas Project as the works under construction or to be constructed as part of the Beas-Sutlej Link Project and the Pong Dam Project, which includes dams, tunnels, and power houses.

Practice Quiz

Q1.Under Section 78 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act of 1966, what happens if the successor states cannot agree on sharing the rights to the Bhakra-Nangal Project within two years of the appointed day?

Q2.According to Section 78 of the 1966 Punjab Reorganisation Act, which of the following is excluded from the rights and liabilities being divided among the successor states?

Q3.Which of the following works is defined as part of the Bhakra-Nangal Project rather than the Beas Project under Section 78 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act of 1966?

Q4.How does Section 78 of The Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966 handle future extensions or developments of the Bhakra-Nangal or Beas projects?

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