The Telangana Irrigation Utilisation and Command Area Development Act, 1984.

THE TELANGANA IRRIGATION UTILISATION AND COMMAND 
AREA DEVELOPMENT ACT, 1984. 
(ACT No. 15 OF 1984.) 
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 
Sections 
 CHAPTER I 
Preliminary. 
1. Short title, extent and commencement. 
2. Definitions. 
 CHAPTER II 
Constitution of Command Area Development Authority, 
Appointment of Commissioner, Pipe Committee and 
other agencies, etc. 
3. Constitution of the Command Area Development 
Authority and its functions. 
4. Appointment of a Commissioner. 
5. Constitution of a Pipe Committee and its functions. 
6. Irrigation Officer to carry out works on failure of pipe 
committee. 
7. Power to constitute Boards, Committees, etc. 
 CHAPTER-III 
Obligations of land holders 
8. Obligations of a land holder. 
9. Farm management. 
10. Safeguarding adjacent holdings. 
 
 
2  [Act No. 15 of 1984] 
 CHAPTER-IV 
Systematic land development 
11. Formation of units. 
12. Power of Commissioner to specify command area for 
systematic land development. 
13. Construction of field channels. 
14. Power to enter and survey, etc. 
15. Preparation of the scheme for systematic land 
development. 
16. Implementation of systematic land development 
scheme. 
17. Acquisition of land for irrigation system under a pipe 
outlet. 
18. Preparation of records after systematic land 
development. 
 CHAPTER-V 
Regulation of Irrigation and equitable water use 
management 
19. Power of Irrigation Officer to regulate irrigation system. 
20. Liability for unlawful use of water when water runs to 
waste. 
21. Stoppage of water supply. 
22. Supply of water for irrigation of one or more crops. 
23. Settlement of disputes regarding distribution of water. 
 CHAPTER-VI 
Localisation of command areas and regulation of 
cropping pattern therein, etc. 
24. Power to specify principles of localisation. 
[Act No. 15 of 1984]  3 
25. Classification of lands for raising different crops 
according to availability of water. 
26. Power to prohibit growing of certain kinds of crops and 
to regulate the period of sowing and duration of crops. 
27. Power to levy and collect road cess. 
 CHAPTER-VII 
Credit Facilities 
28. Power to select financing agency. 
29. Loans to ineligible and recalcitrant land holders. 
30. Creation of charge on land. 
31. Alterations of extent of boundaries of mortgaged land 
under the scheme for systematic land development. 
32. Exemption from certain duties and fees. 
33. Registration of document executed on behalf of a 
financing agency, etc. 
 CHAPTER-VIII 
Offences and penalties 
34. Penalties. 
35. Abetment of offences. 
36. Punishment under other laws not barred. 
37. Summary disposal of cases. 
38. Power to remove and take into custody person 
obstructing. 
39. Payment of reward to informants. 
40. Composition of offences. 
 
 
4  [Act No. 15 of 1984] 
 CHAPTER-IX 
Miscellaneous 
41. Obligation of land holders of land adjacent to notified 
command area. 
42. Recovery of dues as arrears of land revenue. 
43. Bar of jurisdiction of Civil Courts. 
44. Power to summon and examine witnesses. 
45. Revision by the Commissioner. 
46. Power of Revision by Government. 
47. Power to make rules. 
48. Act to override other laws. 
49. Power to remove difficulties. 
50. Savings in respect of Adhoc-Command Area 
Development Authority. 
51. Repeal of Ordinance 32 of 1983. 
 
THE TELANGANA IRRIGATION UTILISATION AND 
COMMAND AREA DEVELOPMENT ACT, 1984.1 
 
ACT No.15 OF 1984. 
 
CHAPTER I 
Preliminary 
 
1. (1) This Act may be called the 2Telangana Irrigation 
Utilisation and Command Area Development Act, 1984. 
 
 (2) It extends to the whole of the State of 2Telangana. 
 
 (3) All the provisions of this Act shall be deemed to have 
come into force on the 14th January, 1984 in respect of the 
following command areas namely:- 
 
  (1) the Nagarjunasagar Project Left Canal; 
 
  (2) the Nagarjunasagar Project Right Canal; 
 
  (3) the Sriramsagar Project; 
 
  (4) the Tungabhadra Project; and 
 
they shall come into force in  respect of other areas on such 
date as the Government may, by notification appoint; and 
they may appoint different dates for different areas and for 
different provisions of this Act. 
                                                           
1. The Andhra Pradesh Irrigation Utilisation and Command Area 
Development Act, 1984 received the assent of the President on the 21 st 
March, 1984. The said Act in force in the combined State, as on 
02.06.2014, has been adapted to the State of Telangana, under section 
101 of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 (Central Act 6 of 
2014) vide. the Telangana Adaptation of Laws Order , 2016, issued in 
G.O.Ms.No.45, Law (F) Department, dated 01.06.2016. 
2. Substituted by G.O.Ms.No.45, Law (F) Department, dated 01.06.2016. 
Short title, extent 
and 
commencement. 
2  [Act No.15 of 1984] 
2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:- 
 
 (1) “command area” means an area irrigated or capable 
of being irrigated either by gravitational flow or by lift 
irrigation or by any other method, under an irrigation 
system, project or source and includes every such area 
whether it is called “ayacut” o r by any other local n ame in 
any law in force in the State; 
 
 (2) “command area development authority”  means an 
authority constituted under section 3; 
 
 (3) “Command Area Development Work”  means any 
work undertaken under this Act; 
 
 (4) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of 
command area development for the State appointed under 
section 4 and includes such other person in whom all or any 
of the power of the Commissioner under this Act are 
conferred by the Government in respect of one or more 
command areas; 
 
 (5) “comprehensive command area development ” 
includes– 
 
  (a) systematic land development for conservation of 
land and water; 
 
  (b) water use management for optimum use of water , 
including irrigation by turns, volumetric measurement of 
water and other enabling measures to avoid waste, water 
logging, salinity, alkalinity and the like; 
 
  (c) conjunctive use of surface and ground water for 
multiple cropping and proper utilisati on of available water 
resources; 
 
Definitions. 
[Act No.15 of 1984]  3 
  (d) modernisation and remodelling of existing 
irrigation systems for optimum use of water and land 
resources; and 
 
  (e) regulation , maintenance and repairs of irrigation 
systems; 
 
 (6) “credit officer ” means an officer of the co -operative 
department appointed as such by the Government for the 
purpose of securing finance for the systematic land 
development, agricultural operations and other allied 
activities; 
 
 (7) “distribution system” includes– 
 
  (a) all main canals, branch canals, distributaries and 
minor canals constructed for the supply and distr ibution of 
water for irrigation; 
 
  (b) all works, structures and appliances connected 
with the distribution of water for irrigation; 
 
  (c) all field chann els and farm channels and related 
structures under a pipe outlet; 
 
 (8) “District Collector” means the Collector of a district in 
which the command area is situated and includes the 
Administrator of a Command Area Development Authority, if 
any, and any officer specially appointed by the Government 
for performing all  or any of the functions of the  District 
Collector under this Act; 
 
 (9) “drainage system” includes– 
 
  (a) channels either natural or artificial, for the 
discharge of waste or surplus water and all works 
connected therewith or ancillary thereto; 
4  [Act No.15 of 1984] 
  (b) escape channels from an irrigation  or distribution 
system and other works connected therewith but does not 
include works for removal of sewage; 
 
  (c) all collecting drains and main drains to drain off 
surplus water from field drains; 
 
  (d) all field drains and related structures under pi pe 
outlet; 
 
 (10) “field channel” includes a channel constructed or to 
be constructed by the Government or by the land holder or 
by any other agency to receive and distribute water from a 
pipe outlet; 
 
 (11) “field drain”  includes a channel excavated and 
maintained by the land holder or by any other agency on his 
behalf to discharge waste or surplus water from the land 
holding under a pipe outlet; and includes drains escape 
channels and other similar works constructed or t o be 
constructed and maintained by the owners or occupiers or 
by the Government on their behalf and at the cost of the 
owners or occupiers; 
 
 (12) “field road”  means a road serving lands under a 
pipe outlet and built at the cost of the land holders; 
 
 (13) “financing agency” means any commercial bank or 
any co -operative society, including a co -operative 
agricultural development bank, the main object of which is 
to lend money, or any regional rural bank established under 
the Regional Rural Banks Act, 1976 and includes any othe r 
agency selected for providing credit facility for 
comprehensive command area development; 
 
Central Act 21 of 1976. 
[Act No.15 of 1984]  5 
 (14) “Government” means the State Government of 
3Telangana; 
 
 (15) “irrigated dry land”  or “irrigated land”  means land 
localised for light irrigation of crops other than paddy, 
sugarcane and banana; 
 
 (16) “Irrigation Officer”  in relation to a command area 
means an officer of the Revenue Department, not below the 
rank of a Revenue Divisional Officer, having jurisdicti on over 
such area or an Officer  of the Irrigation Department not 
below the rank of a Deputy Executive Engineer e xercising 
control over the irrigation system in the command area and 
includes any other officer appointed by the  Government to 
perform the functions of an Irrigation Officer under this Act; 
 
 (17) “irrigation system” includes– 
 
  (a) the distribution system; 
 
  (b) the drainage system; 
 
 (18) “irrigation system under a pipe outlet”  includes the 
field channels and field drains, with all the related structures 
thereto; 
 
 (19) “Land Development Officer” means an Officer of the 
Agriculture Department not below the rank of an Assistant 
Director of Agriculture or an officer of the Irrigation 
Department not below the rank of a Deputy Executive 
Engineer or any other officer, appointed as such by the 
Government, to have jurisdiction, and to exercise control 
over the whole or part of a command area for the purpose of 
systematic land development; 
 
                                                           
3. Substituted by G.O.Ms.No.45, Law (F) Department, dated 01.06.2016. 
6  [Act No.15 of 1984] 
 (20) “land-holder” means a person in actual possession 
of the land, whether as an owner or as a tenant or sub -
tenant or as a mortgagee in possession or as a licensee, or 
otherwise and includes a person who is likely to be 
benefited by the command area development work, and the 
expression “land holding” shall be construed as land held 
by a land holder; 
 
 (21) “notification” means a notification published in 
4Telangana Gazette, and the expression “notified” shall be 
construed accordingly; 
 
 (22) “pipe-outlet” means an opening or contrivance 
constructed by the Government in an irrigation system 
through which water is delivered for irrigation at the 
periphery of the localised area ordinari ly not exceeding forty 
hectares; 
 
 (23) “prescribed” means prescribed by r ules made by 
the Government under this Act; 
 
 (24) “systematic land dev elopment” includes all or any 
of the following works:- 
 
  (a) construction of field channels with related 
structures; 
 
  (b) construction of field drains with related structures; 
 
  (c) land shaping, including grading, levelling, 
bunding and the like; 
 
  (d) realignment of field boundaries and 
rectangularisation of plots and consolidation of land 
                                                           
4. Substituted by G.O.Ms.No.45, Law (F) Department, dated 01.06.2016. 
[Act No.15 of 1984]  7 
holdings under a pipe outlet or under an adjacent pipe 
outlet, wherever necessary, for efficient farm management; 
 
  (e) lining of field channels, wherever necessary with 
suitable material to prevent sewage of water; 
 
  (f) construction of field road with related structures; 
 
 (25) “warabandi” means the system of equitable 
distribution of wa ter by turns ac cording to a schedule 
prepared by the prescribed authority specifying the day, 
time and duration or supply of water to each land -holder in 
proportion to his land-holdings in the pipe-outlet command; 
 
 (26) “wet land” means land localised for heavy irrigation 
of crops, like paddy, sugarcane and banana. 
 
CHAPTER II 
Constitution of Command Area Development Authority, 
Appointment of Commissioner, Pipe Committee and other 
agencies, etc. 
 
3. (1) As soon as may be after the commencem ent of this 
Act, the Government  may, by notification, constitute a 
Command Area Development Authority for the development 
of each command area or two or more command area s or 
any parts thereof, which shall consist of such members as 
may be specified therein. 
 
 (2) The Command Area Development Authority shall be 
a body  corporate by the name “Command Area 
Development Authority” of (the name of the area to be 
specified), having perpetual succession and a common seal 
with power, subject to the provisions of this Act, to acquire, 
hold and dispose of property, both movable and 
immovable, and to contract, and shall, by the said name, 
sue and be sued. 
Constitution of the 
Command Area 
Development 
Authority and its 
functions. 
8  [Act No.15 of 1984] 
 (3) The Command Area Deve lopment Authority shall 
have the following functions, namely:– 
 
  (a) to formulate and implement schemes for the 
comprehensive development of the command area or 
command areas; 
 
  (b) to ensure integrated utilisation of water flows; 
 
  (c) to co -ordinate w ork relating to command area 
development; 
 
  (d) to arrange systematic land development, 
including planning, construction and maintenance of field 
channels, field drains, farm roads and ayacut roads; 
 
  (e) to ensure propogatio n, demonstration and 
implementation of improved water management techniques 
and the education and training of farmers in irrigated 
agriculture; 
 
  (f) to enforce a proper system of rotationa l water 
supply as specified in w arabandi and fair distribution of 
water to individual fields; 
 
  (g) to formulate conjunctive use of surface and 
ground water; 
 
  (h) to prevent land erosion and water logging; 
 
  (i) to select and introduce a suitable cropping pattern; 
 
  (j) to strengthen agricultural extension activities; 
 
  (k) to arrange agricultural credit facilities for 
systematic land development and agricultural production in 
the select command areas; 
[Act No.15 of 1984]  9 
  (l) to improve the supply of other agricultural inputs; 
 
  (m) to ensure creation and development of 
marketing, processing and warehousing facilities; 
 
  (n) to diversify agriculture and to develop activities, 
like animal husbandry and protein production; 
 
  (o) to lay out schemes for town -planning and 
development of growth centres; 
 
  (p) to receive, borrow and lend moneys by or on 
behalf of it, which are necessary for the due discharge of its 
functions, and also to recover moneys due to it or on its 
behalf; 
 
  (q) to determine the payment of amount as provided 
in sub-section (8) of section 13; and  
 
  (r) to do such other acts, not inco nsistent with the 
provisions of this Act, as may be prescribed. 
 
 (4) The Command Area Development Authority shall 
exercise such powers and control as it deems necessary, 
over the officers and authorities functioning within its 
jurisdiction, including the power to give directions for the 
purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act, and every 
such officer or authority shall comply with all such 
directions. 
 
4. (1) There shall be appointed by the Government, by 
notification, a Commissioner of Command Area 
Development for the State of 5Telangana to be incharge of 
Command Area Development in the whole of the S tate. The 
Government may, by notification, also appoint a many 
                                                           
5. Substituted by G.O.Ms.No.45, Law (F) Department, dated 01.06.2016. 
Appointment of a 
Commissioner. 
10  [Act No.15 of 1984] 
persons as they consider necessary to exercise the powers 
and perform the functions of the Commissioner under this 
Act in relation to such command areas as may be specified 
in the said notification. 
 
 (2) The powers to be exercised and the functions to be 
performed by the Commissioner shall be such as may be 
prescribed. 
 
 (3) The Commissioner shall exercise general control 
and superintendence over the Credit Offic er, Irrigation 
Officer and Land Development Officer in the performance of 
their functions under this Act or the rules made thereunder. 
 
5. (1) There shall be a pipe committee for each pipe outlet 
consisting of a president, who shall  be the chief executive 
authority of the pipe committee, and such n umber of 
members as may be presc ribed. The president and the 
members of each pipe committee shall be elected by the 
land-holders under the pipe outlet from among themselves 
in such manner a s may be prescribed. The term of office of 
the members including the president of the pipe committee 
shall be 6[three years] from the date of assumpti on of their 
respective offices. 
 
 7[Provided that the members including the President of 
the Pipe Co mmittee shall continue to hold o ffice up to the 
date of next reconstitution of the Pipe Committee in 
accordance with the provisions of this sub-section.] 
 
 (2) The procedure to be followed at the meetings of the 
pipe committee, the powers and duties of the  president and 
the disqualifications and removal of the president and 
members thereof, shall be such as may be prescribed. 
                                                           
6. Substituted by Act No.1 of 1993. 
7. Added by Act No.1 of 1993. 
Constitution of a 
pipe committee 
and its functions. 
[Act No.15 of 1984]  11 
 (3) The pipe committee in which the power to administer 
and supervise the irrigation system under the pipe outlet 
concerned vests, s hall be responsible to perform the 
following, among other functions, namely:- 
 
  (a) the construction, maintenance, repair and upkeep 
of the irrigation system under the pipe outlet at the cost a nd 
expenses of the land-holders; 
 
  (b) to carry out obligatio ns on behalf of the land 
holders, if the land -holders fail to do so, and recover costs 
thereof from them in such manner as may be prescribed; 
 
  (c) to enforce warabandi and to regulate supply of 
water for irrigation to each land -holding by turns or rotati on 
according to the time schedule approved by the Irrigation 
Officer; 
 
  (d) to regulate and control water supply for irrigation 
by volumetric measurement in the mann er specified by the 
Irrigation Officer; 
 
  (e) to prevent unauthorised and unlaw ful use of water 
for irrigation; 
 
  (f) to supervise the irrigation system with a view to 
preventing waste of water and damage to the system; 
 
  (g) to perform such other functions as may be 
prescribed. 
 
6. If the pipe committee fails to carry out obligations on 
behalf of the land -holders as required by or under this Act, 
the Irrigation Officer may, after giving notice to the pipe 
committee, carry out the said obligations and recover the 
costs thereof from the land -holders in the manner provided 
in section 5. 
Irrigation Officer 
to carry out works 
on failure of pipe 
committee. 
12  [Act No.15 of 1984] 
7. The Government may, in order to carry out the purposes 
of this Act, by notification constitute such board, committee 
or other body for one  or more command areas or any parts 
thereof as may be specified therein ; and invest the board, 
committee or body so constituted with such powers and 
functions as they may deem fit. 
 
CHAPTER-III 
Obligations of land holders 
 
8. Every land -holder under a pi pe outlet shall be 
responsible,– 
 
 (i) to carry out systematic land development at his cost, 
according to the scheme formulated by the Land 
Development Officer; 
 
 (ii) to maintain the irrigation system under the pipe outlet 
in good repair, at his cost; proportionately as prescribed; 
 
 (iii) to use water for irrigation economically and without 
wastage by adopting such techniques  and regime as may 
be prescribed. 
 
9. It shall be the duty of a land -holder to take steps to 
maximise production from his land by adopting such 
scientific and modern techniques of farm management as 
may be notified from time.to time by such authority,as may 
be prescribed. 
 
10. Every land -holder shall take such precautionary and 
preventive measures as may be necessary so as not to 
cause damage to the adjacent land holdings. 
 
 
 
 
Power to 
constitute Boards, 
Committees, etc. 
Obligations of a 
land holder. 
Farm 
management. 
Safeguarding 
adjacent holdings. 
[Act No.15 of 1984]  13 
CHAPTER-IV 
Systematic land development 
 
11. All lands comprising the command area under a pipe 
outlet shall form into a single unit for purposes of- 
 
 (i) systematic land development ; 
 
 (ii) maintenance and upkeep of irrigation system. 
 
12. The Commissioner may, by notification, specify the 
command areas under his jurisdiction in which all or any of 
the works under systematic land development shall be 
taken up in one or more instalments and also specify the 
officers for comm and area development works in such 
command areas. 
 
13. (1) Whenever it appears to the Government that the 
construction of field channels is expedient for the supply of 
water to the lands immediately after or simult aneously with 
the availability of water in the ma in irrigation system, the 
Government may, by notification declare the command area 
under an irrigation system or project or source for the 
purpose of applying the provision of this section. 
 
 (2) On the issu e of the notification, the Land 
Development Officer shall have power to enter upon any 
land and make survey of such land to determine the most 
suitable alignment for the field channel so as to convey 
water to every land under a pipe outlet and mark out the  
land which, in his opinion, is necessary for the construction 
of the field channel. 
 
 (3) The Land Development O fficer shall thereupon 
publish a scheme in the prescribed manner giving details of 
the lands through which the field channel is proposed to be 
Power of 
Commissioner to 
specify command 
area for 
systematic land 
development. 
Construction of 
field channels. 
Formation of 
units. 
14  [Act No.15 of 1984] 
taken and specifying the areas and the names of persons 
likely to be affected. 
 
 (4) Every person likely to be affect ed may submit a 
petition to the  Land Development Officer stating his 
objections, if any, to the proposed construction of the field 
channel within fifteen days of publication of the scheme. The 
Land Development Officer shall finalise the scheme after 
considering the objections, if any and publish it in the 
manner prescribed. An appeal against an order of the Land 
Development Officer may be fil ed before the District 
Collector within fifteen days of the publication of the 
scheme. 
 
 (5) The Land Development Officer shall, after the expiry 
of the period of appeal, or where an appeal is filed before 
the District Collector subject to the result of ap peal, cause 
the field channel to be constructed so as to convey water to 
every land under a pipe outlet. 
 
 (6) Notwithstanding anything in the 8Land Acquisition 
Act, 1894, it shall be lawful for the Land Development Officer 
to enter upon lands required for the construction of field 
channel and to cause construction of the field channel as if 
a declaration had been made by the State Government for 
the acquisition thereof under section 6 of that Act and as if 
the State Government had thereupon directed the Collector 
to take order for the acquisition of such land under section 7 
of the said Act and if the State Government had issued 
orders for immediate possession being taken under section 
17 of the said Act. 
 
 (7) The Land Developm ent Officer shall, after the 
construction of the field channel, fix the boundary marks in 
                                                           
8. Please refer to the provisions of Central Act 30 of 2013, wherein this 
Act has been repealed. 
Central Act 1 of 1894. 
[Act No.15 of 1984]  15 
the prescribed manner and thereupon the ownership of 
such land shall vest in the Government. 
 
 (8) When the land through which the field channel 
passes is not benefit ed therefrom, the owner of such land 
shall be paid an amount calculated at the rate at which the 
land required for construction of field channel at the nearest 
point from which the pipe outlet has been taken, has been 
acquired: 
 
 Provided that where question arises as to whether the 
amount payable under this sub -section corresponds to the 
market value of the land, it shall be referred to the District 
Collector whose decision thereon shall be final. 
 
 (9) Notwithstanding that the cost of constructton o f the 
field channel is met by the Government, the responsibility 
for maintenance of the field channel shall vest with the pipe 
Committee; and the beneficiaries of the field channel shall 
not acquire any right other than that of user only. 
 
 (10) Any person, resisting the exercise of the powers, or 
having control over the property fails to give all facilities for 
their being exercised shall be deemed to have committed an 
offence under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. 
 
14. (1) The Land Development Officer, or any person 
authorised by him in this behalf may– 
 
  (a) enter upon any land in the command area of an 
irrigation system or lands adjacent thereto and undertake 
survey or take levels thereon for preparing scheme for 
systematic land development; 
 
  (b) dig and bore into top -soil or sale soil and collect 
soil samples for technical investigation; 
 
Power to enter 
and survey, etc., 
 
Central Act 45 of 1860. 
16  [Act No.15 of 1984] 
  (c) make and set -up suitable land marks, and level 
marks for the said purpose; 
 
  (d) do all other acts necessary for the proper conduct 
of any inquiry or investigation relating to any existing or 
proposed scheme for comprehensive command area 
development; 
 
  (e) enter upon any land or building and cut down and 
clear away jungle, fence or any part of standing crop, or 
other obstruction for the purpose of regulating the use of 
water supplied or inspection or measurement of the lands 
irrigated thereby and of doing all things necessary for the 
proper regulation and management of land and water: 
 
 Provided that if the Land Development Officer or other 
person authorised proposes to enter into any building or 
any enclosed court -yard attached to a dwelling house, he 
shall give the occupier of such building or courtyard atleast 
a day's notice in writing of his intention to do so, if the 
occupier denies entry on oral request. 
 
 (2) Save as otherwise provided by the rules made in this 
behalf, no person shall be entitled to any compensation for 
loss or damage sustained by him by reason of any action 
taken by the Land Development Officer or other person 
authorised in pursuance of his powers under this section. 
 
15. (1) The Land Development Officer shall, as soon as may 
be after the issue of notification under section 12, hold a 
meeting of land -holders in the unit and after hearing their 
views, cause the preparation of a suitable scheme for 
systematic land development. 
 
 (2) Any scheme so prepared shall amongst other 
matters, setout the estima ted cost of the scheme a sketch 
plan of the area proposed to be covered under the scheme 
Preparation of the 
scheme for 
systematic land 
development. 
[Act No.15 of 1984]  17 
and the particulars of the site of the pipe outlet re -
localisation or re -alignment of the pipe outlet and re -
alignment of the existing irrigation system, survey number s 
covered, field boundries, as existing and as proposed, the 
extent required for the irrigation system and the land-holders 
to be benefited and other persons affected thereby. 
 
 (3) Every scheme shall, immediately after its 
preparation, be published in suc h form and manner as may 
be prescribed inviting objections and suggestions with 
respect thereof within fifteen days of such publication. 
 
 (4) The Land Development Officer shall consider the 
objections and suggestions received, if any, from the land-
holders and finalise the scheme either as originally 
proposed by him or with such, modifications as he may 
consider fit and publish the scheme as finalised in such form 
and manner as may be prescribed (thereinafter in this 
chapter referred to as the approved scheme). 
 
16. (1) After the approved scheme has been published by 
the Land Development Officer, or where proceedings is 
pending before the District Collector under sub -section (4) 
of section 13 after it has been diposed off the Land 
Development Officer shall give notice in such manner  as 
may be prescribed; that the works in the approved scheme 
shall be executed within such time and through such 
agency appointed by him, as may be specified therein. 
 
 (2) As soon as may be after the notice is given under 
sub-section (1) , the Land Development Officer shall call 
upon every land-holder, whose land is likely to be benefited 
by the approved scheme, by an order made in this behalf, to 
deposit, within o ne month from the date of the order, his 
share of the estimated cost of the work in the approved 
scheme with the Land Development Officer for executing the 
scheme and every such land -holder shall deposit the same 
Implementation of 
systematic land 
development 
scheme. 
18  [Act No.15 of 1984] 
within the period specified therefor. The L and Development 
Officer shall thereupon takeup the work according to the 
approved scheme. 
 
 (3) On completion of the work, the Land Development 
Officer shall give to the land -holder notice of completion of 
the work and the cost of execution of the work acc ording to 
the approved scheme, and demand the deposit of such 
further sum, if any, as may be payable by the land -holder 
with the Land Development Officer. 
 
17. (1) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any law 
for the time being in force, it shall be lawful for the land -
holders under a pipe outlet to agree,- 
 
  (i) to establish an irrigation system on their lands 
without payment of compensation for the  land occupied by 
such a system; or 
 
  (ii) to bear a cut in their holdings in proportion to the 
extent of their holdings in lieu of the amount fixed for the 
land occupied by the irrigation system, by re -adjustment of 
field boundaries. 
 
 (2) Where the landholders under a pipe outlet do no t so 
agree to part with their lands required for the irrigation 
system without payment in cash, the Land Development 
Officer may fix the amount payable for such lands, in the 
same manner as provided in sub -section (8) of section 13, 
and the amount so fixed  shall form part of the estimated 
cost of the approved scheme and be paid to the affected 
land holders according to the area occupied by the 
irrigation system; 
 
 (3) Any person aggrieved by the amount fixed by the 
Land Development Officer under sub -section (2) may prefer 
an appeal, within fifteen days from the date of 
Acquisition of land 
for irrigation 
system under a 
pipe outlet. 
[Act No.15 of 1984]  19 
communication of an order in that behalf, to the District 
Collector. A second appeal against an order of the District 
Collector may be filed before the Commissioner within 
fifteen days from the date of such order. 
 
18. (1) The Land Development Officer shall prepare in the 
prescribed manner a record containing particulars as to the 
irrigation system and the adjusted boundaries of land 
holdings under a  pipe outlet after execution of the 
systematic land development scheme and cause the same 
to be published in such manner as may be prescribed. 
 
 (2) The District Collector shall have the power to correct 
any error or rectify any mistake in the particulars contained 
in the said record. 
 
 (3) Every particular in the said record shall be evidence 
of the matter referred to therein and shall be presumed to be 
correct until the contrary is proved or until a new particular is 
entered in the said record in accordance with the provisions 
of this Act or any other law for the time being in force. 
 
CHAPTER-V 
Regulation of irrigation and equitable water use 
management 
 
19. (1) The Irrigation Officer shall, having regard to the 
availability of water and other factors, have power to 
regulate the supply of water from an irrigation system upto 
and below a pipe outlet and specify:– 
 
  (a) the time for letting out water for irrigation; 
 
  (b) the duration of supply; 
 
  (c) the quantity of supply; and 
 
Preparation of 
records after 
systematic land 
development. 
Power of Irrigation 
Officer to regulate 
irrigation system. 
20  [Act No.15 of 1984] 
  (d) the different areas to be supplied at different 
times. 
 
 Explanation.–Water shall be deemed to have been 
supplied if it is made available, whether or not it is used for 
irrigation of land under a pipe outlet. 
 
 (2) An appeal against an order passed by the Irrigation 
Officer under sub-section (1) shall lie to the District Collector 
within fifteen days from the date of making of such order. 
 
20. (1) If water supplied from an irrigation system is put to 
unauthorised or unlawful use, the person by whose act or 
negligence such use has occurred, or if such person cannot 
be identified, the person or all the persons on whose land 
water has flowed and the land is benefited therefrom, or the 
person or all the persons chargeable in respect of the water 
supplied from such irrigation system, shall be liable, 
severally or jointly as the case may be, for the imposition of 
such charge as may be levie d by the competent authority 
therefor under the relevant law for the time being in force. 
 
 Explanation.–For the purpose of this section, the use of 
water for irrigating an area in the following manner shall 
constitute unauthorised or unlawful use, namely:– 
 
  (i) when an area is not localised under an irrigation 
system; 
 
  (ii) when an area which is localised as irrigated dry, is 
irrigated as wet; 
 
  (iii) when an area localised for a single crop  is 
irrigated for a double crop; 
 
Liability for 
unlawful use of 
water when water 
runs to waste. 
[Act No.15 of 1984]  21 
  (iv) when an area which is localised for one particular 
season is irrigated in the season f or which it is not so 
localised; 
 
  (v) when an area is irrigated unauthorisedly by 
breaching or cross bounding an irrigation system; 
 
  (vi) when an area is irrigated by pumping water 
without prior permission of the Irrigation Officer; 
 
  (vii) when an area is irrigated with a crop in 
contravention of cropping pattern specified under section  
26; 
 
  (viii) when an area is irrigated otherwise than in 
accordance with the schedule of water  distribution as 
specified in warabandi. 
 
 (2) Where water supplied through a field channel is 
allowed by any person to run to waste, the person by whose 
act or negligence such water was allowed to run to waste, or 
if, after inquiry such person cannot be f ound, the person or 
all the persons chargeable in respect of the water supplied 
from such irrigation system, shall be liable, severally or 
jointly, as the case may be, for the imposition of a charge 
which shall be made in the prescribed manner in respect o f 
the water so wasted. 
 
 (3) The levy of charges for unauthorised or unlawful use 
of or wastage of water shall not be a bar for launching 
prosecution for any offence connected with such use or 
waste. 
 
 (4) All charges for the unauhorised or unlawful use or for 
waste of water may be recovered as water rates, in addition 
to any penalties imposed on account of such use or for 
waste of water. 
22  [Act No.15 of 1984] 
 (5) Any question arising under this section shall be 
decided by the Irrigation Officer and any person aggrieved 
by the order of the Irrigation Officer may prefer an appeal to 
the District Collector within fifteen days from the date of 
making of the order. A second appeal against an order of 
the District Collector may be filed before the Commissioner 
within fifteen days from the date of such order. 
 
21. (1) It shall be lawful for the Government or any officer 
authorised by them in this behalf to stop the supply of water 
to any land holding or field channel or to any person who is 
entitled, to such supply under all or any of the fo llowing 
circumstances, namely:– 
 
  (a) whenever and so long as it is necessary to stop 
such supply for the purpose of executing any work ordered 
by the competent authority; 
 
  (b) whenever and so long as any field channel by 
which such supply is received is not maintained in such 
repair as to prevent the wasteful escape of water thereof; 
 
  (c) whenever and so long as it may be necessary to 
do so in order to prevent the wastage or misuse of water; 
 
  (d) during the periods fixed, from time to time, by the 
Irrigation Officer of which due notice has been given; 
 
  (e) whenever there is diminution in the supply of 
water in the irrigation system due to any natural or seasonal 
causes and thereby so long as it is necessary to do so; 
 
  (f) whenever there are floods or heavy rains in the 
command area and thereby so long as it is necessary to do 
so. 
 
Stoppage of water 
supply. 
[Act No.15 of 1984]  23 
 (2) No claim shall be allowed against the Government 
for compensation in respect of any damage arising out of:– 
 
  (a) deterioration in climate or soil; or 
 
  (b) stoppage or diminution of the supply of water 
where such stappage or diminution is due to– 
 
   (i) any cause beyond the control of the authority 
incharge of the irrigation system; 
 
   (ii) the executi on of any repairs, alterations or 
additions to the irrigation system; 
 
   (iii) any measures considered necessary by the 
Irrigation Officer for regulating the proper flow of water in the 
field channel or for maintaining the estab lished course of 
irrigation; or 
 
   (iv) circumstances mentioned in clauses (a) to (f) of 
sub-section (1). 
 
22. Where water from an irrigation system is supplied for the 
irrigation of one or more crops specified by the Irrigation 
Officer, the right to use such water shall be deemed to 
continue only until such crop or crops shall come into 
maturity, and to be lawful only in respect of such crop or 
crops. 
 
23. (1) Whenever a dispute arises between two or more 
land-holders in regard to their natural rights or liabilities in 
respect of the use or maintenance of a field channel, any 
such land-holder may apply in writing to the pipe committee 
stating the matter in dispute. 
 
 (2) On receip t of an application under sub -section (1), 
the pipe committee shall give notice to the other persons 
Supply of water 
for irrigation of 
one or more 
crops. 
Settlement of 
disputes 
regarding 
distribution of 
water. 
24  [Act No.15 of 1984] 
intersted to appear before it on a day to be specified in such 
notice, and shall proceed to enquire into such matter, and 
after the enquiry, the pipe commi ttee may try to bring about 
a compromise between the parties and if such compromise 
could not be brought, it shall, after hearing the parties 
concerned pass such order as it deems fit: 
 
 Provided that if any dispute arises between the land -
holders and the pipe committee regarding the sharing of 
costs to be borne by one or more land -holders, any such 
land holder may, after paying the costs apportioned to him 
by the pipe committee, prefer an appeal to the Irrigation  
Officer within seven days of such payment a nd the Irrigation 
Officer shall after giving an opportunity to the aggrieved 
land-holders, decide the pro -rata sharing of expenses 
between the land -holders and his dec ision theron shall be 
final and binding on all the land-holders. 
 
 (3) The Irrigation Off icer within whose jurisdiction the 
pipe outlet is situated, may suo -motu or on an application 
made in this behalf by an aggrieved person within fifteen 
days from the date of the order passed by the pipe 
committee under sub-section (2) revise such order: 
 
 Provided that where the pipe committee does not pass 
an order within fifteen days from the date of receipt of an 
application under sub -section (1), the Irrigation Officer may 
himself pass an order on the matter in dispute. 
 
CHAPTER-VI 
Localisation of command areas and regulation of cropping 
pattern therein, etc. 
 
24. (1) Subject to such rules as may be made in this behalf 
the Government may, having regard to resources of land 
and water, nature of soil, climate and other technical 
Power to specify 
principles of 
localisation. 
[Act No.15 of 1984]  25 
considerations, by an order, specify for each command area 
principles of localisation for the purpose of irrigation. 
 
 (2) The Government may, having regard to the 
advancement in technology of land and water management 
and other agronomic practices, alter, from time to time by 
an order, the principles of localisation so specified for any 
command area. 
 
 Explanation:–The term “principles of locali sation” shall 
include the prescription of seasons of the irrigation, the type 
of irrigation, such as wet, irrigated dry, double crop, or 
single crop, or perennial irrigation. 
 
25. Subject to such directions as may be issued from time 
to time by the Government, the District Collector, may, in 
any year, having regard to the quantity of water available in 
any irrigation system within his jurisdiction, classify, by an 
order, within such time and in such manner as may be 
prescribed lands under the said irrigation system for the 
purpose of raising such kind of crops on each class of land 
as may be specified in the  order, and regulate the supply of 
water for irrigation accordingly. 
 
26. (1) Whenever the Government are satisfied that for the 
better cultivation of land and the optimum utilisation of water 
resources of an irrigation system or for accelerated land 
development or for any other reasons, it is expedient in 
public interest to regulate the cropping pattern the period of 
sowing and the durati on of crop, they may, by notification, 
make a decleration to that effect: 
 
 Provided that such person may grow any crop other 
than the crop prohibited under this section with the 
utilisation of water from his own source subject to such 
conditions and restrictions as may be prescribed. 
 
Classification of 
lands for raising 
different crops 
according to 
availability of 
water. 
Power to prohibit 
growing of certain 
kinds of crops 
and to regulate 
the period of 
sowing and 
duration of crops. 
26  [Act No.15 of 1984] 
 (2) On the making of a declaration under sub -section 
(1), the Director of Agriculture may speci fy by notification 
published in such manner as may be prescribed, the kinds 
of crops that shall not be grown on any land under su ch 
irrigation system and the periods of sowing and duration in 
respect of non-prohibited crop thereof. 
 
 (3) On the publication of a notification under sub-section 
(2), no person shall grow any such crop as is prohibited by 
the notification on any land under such irrigation system and 
no person shall sow or plant any other crop at any period or 
allow such crop to remain beyond the duration, specified in 
respect thereof in such notification. 
 
27. (1) For the purpose  of laying out the roads within the 
command area and their proper upkeep and maintenance, it 
shall be lawful for the Government to levy and collect road 
cess in the form of a tax on lands in the command area from 
the land-holders who, in their opinion, are  benefited or are 
capable of being benefitted by any scheme undertaken 
under this Act. 
 
 (2) The rate at which the road cess shall be levied, the 
manner of assessment and realisation of road cess and the 
utilisation of such road cess shall be such as may b e 
prescribed: 
 
 Provided that such rate of road cess shall not exceed 
rupees twelve and paise thirty five per hectare of land in the 
command area. 
 
CHAPTER-VII 
Credit Facilities 
 
28. Any land -holder included in the scheme for systematic 
land development may apply to a financing agency selected 
by the Credit Officer to provide credit facility to the land -
Power to levy and 
collect road cess. 
Power to select 
financing agency. 
[Act No.15 of 1984]  27 
holder and the sai

Excerpt shown. Open the full act in Lexace.

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