(1) The Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute a Council to be known as the Punjab State Council for Water Management and Development to facilitate the objectives of this Act.
(2) The Council shall consist of the following, namely: -
(a) Chief Minister, Punjab; :President
(b) Minister for Water Resources, Punjab; : Vice-President
(c) Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ : Member Welfare, Punjab;
(d) Minister for Water Supply and : Member Sanitation, Punjab;
(e) Minister for Local Government, Punjab; : Member Punjab State Council for Water Management and Development.
(f) Minister for Industries and Commerce, : Member Punjab;
(g) Minister for Rural Development and : Member Panchayats, Punjab;
(h) Minister for Finance and Planning, Punjab; : Member and:
(i) any other Minister or officers that may be co-opted by the President.
(3) The Council shall meet at such time and place, as may be decided by the President and follow such procedure, as may be specified.
(4) The meetings of the Council shall be facilitated and coordinated by the Department of Water Resources, Punjab.
(5) The Council shall be an overarching body to consider and steer the policies and programmes of the State to supply quality water to all persons at affordable costs and prices and ensuring optimal judicious utilization of water resources of the State.
(6) The Council shall discharge the following functions, namely: -
(i) approve, review or modify the Punjab State Water Policy or policies that impact the development, utilisation, conservation and reuse of water in the State;
(ii) approve, review or modify the Integrated State Water Plan to be prepared by the Government;
(iii) recommend, if necessary, financial assistance by way of compensation to a class of consumers in consultation with the Authority for decision of the Government ;and
(iv) refer any matter of immediate or long-term importance related to water or its management to the Authority.