Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
18. Power to give Direction.
In the performance of its functions under this
Act -
(1) (a) the Central Board shall be bound by
such directions in writing as the Central Government may give to it; and
(b) every State Board
shall be bound by such directions in writing as the Central Board or the State
Government may give to it :
Provided that where a direction
given by the State Government is inconsistent with the direction given by the
Central Board, the matter shall be referred to the Central Government for its
decision.
(2) Where the Central Government is of the
opinion that any State Board has defaulted in complying with any directions
given by the Central Board under sub-section (1) and as a result of such
default a grave emergency has arisen and it is necessary or expedient so to do
in the public interest, it may, by order, direct the Central Board to perform
any of the functions of the State Board in relation to such area, for such
period and for such purposes, as may be specified in the order.
(3) Where the Central Board performs any of
the functions of the State Board in pursuance of a direction under sub-section
(2), the expenses, if any, incurred by the Central Board with respect to the
performance of such functions may, if the State Board is empowered to recover
such expenses, be recovered by the Central Board with interest (at such
reasonable rate as the Central Government may, by order, fix) from the date
when a demand for such expenses is made until it is paid from the person or
persons concerned as arrears of land revenue or of public demand.
(4) For the removal of doubts, it is hereby
declared that any directions to perform the functions of any State Board given
under sub-section (2) in respect of any area would not preclude the State Board
from performing such functions in any other area in the State or any or its
other functions in that area.