The Chhattisgarh Sinchai Prabandhan Me Krishkon Ki Bhagidari Adhiniyam, 2006

(1) This Act may be called the Chhattisgarh Sinchai Prabandhan Me Krishkon Ki Bhagidari Adhiniyam, 2006. (2) It extends to the whole of the State of Chhattisgarh. (3) It shall come into force on such date as the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint and different dates may be appointed for different areas and for different provisions. (1)(za) "water allocation" in relation to an irrigation system means distribution of water determined from time to time by a farmer's organisation in its area of operation; Provided that the allocation at the Project area level would be determined jointly by the farmers organisations and the Canal Officer, as the case may be; (zb) "water user" means and includes any individual or body corporate or a society using water for agriculture, domestic, power, non-domestic, commercial, industrial or any other purpose from a Government source of irrigation; (2) The words and expressions used in this Act, but not defined, shall have the same meaning as assigned to them in the Chhattisgarh Irrigation Act, 1931 (No. 3 of 1931).

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— (a) "Ache" means water; (b) "Appointed day" means the day appointed under sub-section (3) of section 1; (c) "Area of operation" in relation to a Farmers' Organisation means an area of the land area under an irrigation system as notified by the Government; (d) "Authorized Officer" means an officer of the Water Resources Department authorised by the Government or by the Head of Department or by the District Collector, as the case may be, to exercise any of the powers under this Act; (e) "Board of Management" means the body of persons elected by the members of the Farmers' Organisation; (f) "Canal System" includes main canals, branch canals, distributaries, minors, water courses and any other works connected thereto for the supply or channelising of water and all field channels and other related appurtenances; (g) "Competent Authority" means an officer of the Water Resources Department authorised by the State Government or by the Head of Department or by the District Collector, as the case may be, to perform the functions of the competent authority under this Act; (h) "Distributary" means a canal supplied, directly or indirectly, from a main canal or branch canal; (i) "Drainage system" includes channels, either natural or artificial, for the discharge of waste or surplus water and all works connected therewith; (j) "Farmers' Organisation" means an organization comprising the land holders in the area of operation, namely (i) Water Users Association; (ii) Distributary Committee; (iii) Project Committee; (k) "Field Channel" means a channel existing or to be constructed by the beneficiaries or by the Government beyond the outlet; (l) "Field Drain" means a channel excavated and maintained by the beneficiaries or by the Government for the discharge of waste or surplus water from the land; (m) "Government" means the State Government of Chhattisgarh; (n) "Irrigation System" includes all channels, works, reservoirs and structures constructed, maintained or controlled by the Government for the purpose of irrigation; (o) "Land holder" means a person who holds the land as Bhumiswami under the provisions of the Chhattisgarh Land Revenue Code, 1959 (No. 20 of 1959); (p) "Main Canal" means a canal as defined in the Chhattisgarh Irrigation Act; (q) "Member" means a person who has a right to vote in the Farmers' Organisation; (r) "Notification" means a notification published in the Official Gazette; (s) "Ole" means water; (t) "Outlet" means an opening constructed by the Government in a canal through which water is delivered into a field channel; (u) "Person" means any individual, firm, company, association or body of individuals; (v) "President" means the President of the Committee or Association; (w) "Water Usage Charges" means the charges payable by the Land holders for the water supplied or made available for irrigation or other purposes by the Water Resources Department or Farmers' Organisation; (x) "Water Users" includes any person or group of persons using water for irrigation, domestic, agricultural, industrial or other purposes; (y) "Water Users Association" means a Water Users Association constituted under this Act. (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:— (a) "agreement" means an agreement between the Water Users' Association and the Project Committee or Canal Officer as the case may be, for all aspects of irrigation management including rehabilitation of the distributory system, supply of water on volumetric basis for irrigation and handing over of physical system for operation, maintenance, management and related purposes; (b) "area of operation" in relation to farmers' organisation means a contiguous block of land in the command area of an irrigation system as may be notified by the State Government for the purposes of this Act; (c) "ayacut road" means a road within the area of operation of the farmers organization, and shall include a road vested in a Gram Panchayat, Janpad Panchayat, Zila Panchayat, Nagar Panchayat; Municipal Council, Municipal Corporation or Public Works Department of the State Government. (d) "canal officer" means the following Officers of the Water Resources Department namely:— (i) Chief Engineer; (ii) Superintending Engineer; (iii) Executive Engineer; (iv) Sub-Divisional Officer; (v) Canal Deputy Collector and, (vi) Sub-Engineer (e) "command area" means an area irrigated or capable of being irrigated either by gravitational flow or by lift irrigation or by any other method from a Government or the Government aided source and includes every such area whether it is called 'ayacut' or by any other name under any law for the time being in force; (f) "competent authority" means the competent authority appointed under Section 29; (g) "distributory system" means and includes, (i) all main canals, branch canals, distributories and minor canals constructed for the supply and distribution of water for irrigation. (ii) all works, structures and appliances connected with the distribution of water for irrigation; and (iii) all field channels and other related channels and structures under a pipe outlet; (h) "drainage system" means and includes, - (i) channels either natural or artificial, for the discharge of waste or surplus water and all works connected therewith or ancillary thereto; (ii) escape channels from an irrigation or distribution and other works connected therewith, but does not include works for removal of sewage; (iii) all collecting drains and main drains to drain off surplus water from field drains; and (iv) all field drains and related structures under pipe outlets; (i) "farmers' organisation" wherever it occurs, shall mean and include, - (i) water users' association at the primary level consisting of all the water users as constituted under section 4; (ii) distributory committee at the secondary level as constituted under section 7; and (iii) project committee at the project level, as constituted under section 10; (j) "farmers participation in management of irrigation system" means involvement of water users in all aspects of irrigation in the irrigation system including planning, designing, operation, maintenance, rehabilitation, modernization, administering rights, resolving of conflicts, determination and collection of Irrigation Water Rate, monitoring, evaluation, budgeting, and financial management, and extends to providing and coordinating irrigation and agriculture related services; (k) "field channel" includes a channel existing or to be constructed by the State Government or by the land holders or by an agency to receive and distribute water from a pipe outlet or an opening in a water course for irrigation of field belonging to Government or private owners; (l) "field drain" includes a channel excavated and maintained by the land holder or by any other agency, to discharge waste or surplus water from the land holding under a pipe outlet and includes drains, escape channels and other similar works existing or to be constructed; (m) "financing agency" means any commercial bank or any co-operative society or any other bank or organisation established or incorporated under any law for the time being in force, which lends money for the development of the area of operation of the farmers' organisation; (n) "general body" in relation to Water Users' Association means the body of all members of such Association; (o) "hydraulic basis" means the basis for identifying a viable irrigated area served by one or more hydraulic structures such as headworks, distributories, minors, pipe outlets and the like; (p) "irrigation system" means such major, medium and minor irrigation system excluding those which are under the control of Panchayat for harnessing water for irrigation and other allied uses from Government sources and also sources created by means of community participation, which is duly permitted by the District Collector and includes reservoirs, open head channels, diversion systems, anicuts, stop dams, lift irrigation schemes, bore/tube wells, tanks, wells and the like and such irrigation system irrigating an area greater than 40 hectares; Explanation: -(i) 'major irrigation system' means irrigation system under major irrigation project having irrigable command area of more than 10,000 hectares; (ii) 'medium irrigation system' means irrigation system under medium irrigation project having irrigable command area of more than 2,000 hectares and up to 10,000 hectares; (iii) 'minor irrigation system' means irrigation system under minor irrigation project having irrigable command area of more than 40 hectares and up to 2,000 hectares; (q) "land holder" means an owner and or a tenant recorded as such in the record of rights under the Chhattisgarh Land Revenue Code, 1959 (No. 20 of 1959) in respect of land in the notified ayacut area of an irrigation system; (r) "lift irrigation" or "lift irrigation scheme" in relation to lift irrigation Water Users' Association means all lift irrigation Schemes, wherein Government permission is required for lifting water, but excluding the lift irrigation schemes on private open wells and bore wells; (s) "lift and tube well irrigation water users' association" in relation to management of irrigation system by farmers, means an association constituted for the purpose of lift and tube well irrigation, constituted in the prescribed manner as provided under Sections 21 and 22 of the Act; (t) "maintenance" means execution of such works on the irrigation system as are necessary to ensure that the physical system designed to the standards operates for proper distribution of water to the landholders in the area of operation; (u) "managing committee" means the managing committee of any farmers' organisation; (v) "member" means the member of any farmers' organisation. (w) "operational plan" means a schedule of irrigation deliveries with details of the mode and duration of supplies drawn up for regulation of irrigation in the command area of an irrigation system; (x) "prescribed" mean prescribed by Rules made under the Act; (y) "territorial constituency" for the purposes of this Act means an area delineated on hydraulic basis and to the extent possible represents an area irrigated by one common canal; (z) "warabandi" means a system of distribution of water allocation to Water Users by turn, according to an approved schedule indicating the days, duration and the time of supply; (za) "water allocation" in relation to an irrigation system means distribution of water determined from time to time by a farmer's organisation in its area of operation; Provided that the allocation at the Project area level would be determined jointly by the farmers organisations and the Canal Officer, as the case may be; (zb) "water user" means and includes any individual or body corporate or a society using water for agriculture, domestic, power, non-domestic, commercial, industrial or any other purpose from a Government source of irrigation; (2) The words and expressions used in this Act, but not defined, shall have the same meaning as assigned to them in the Chhattisgarh Irrigation Act, 1931 (No. 3 of 1931).

(1) The Government may, by notification and with effect from such date as may be specified therein, constitute Water Users Associations in any irrigation system having a command area of not less than 200 hectares, for such number of villages or such area as the Government may specify in this behalf: Provided that the initial constitution of the Water Users Association for the existing irrigation system may be made by the District Collector having jurisdiction over the area. (2) The Government may, by notification and with effect from such date as may be specified therein, constitute Distributary Committees in any irrigation system having a command area of not less than 5000 hectares, by combining such number of Water Users Associations as the Government may deem fit. (3) The Government may, by notification and with effect from such date as may be specified therein, constitute a Project Committee for every major irrigation project having a command area of 200 hectares or more, by combining such number of Distributary Committees as the Government may deem fit. (1) The District Collector, may by notification and in accordance with the rules made under this Act, in this behalf, delineate every command area in consultation with the farmers who are proposed beneficiaries under each of the irrigation systems and on a hydraulic basis which may be administratively viable; and declare it to be a water users' area for the purpose of this Act: Provided that any water users' area in minor, medium & major irrigation system shall not exceed 2000 hectares; Provided that for the command area under the minor and lift irrigation systems, the entire command area may, as far as possible form a single water users' area; Provided further that for minor irrigation system including, irrigation systems comprising more than one minor scheme a Water Users' Association may be formed with an area of two hundred hectares and above, and to the extent possible; (1) The District Collector, may by notification and in accordance with the rules made under this Act, in this behalf, delineate every command area in consultation with the farmers who are proposed beneficiaries under each of the irrigation systems and on a hydraulic basis which may be administratively viable; and declare it to be a water users' area for the purpose of this Act: Provided that any water users' area in minor, medium & major irrigation system shall not exceed 2000 hectares; Provided that for the command area under the minor and lift irrigation systems, the entire command area may, as far as possible form a single water users' area; Provided further that for minor irrigation system including irrigation systems comprising more than one minor scheme a Water Users' Association may be formed with an area of two hundred hectares and above, and to the extent possible; Provided further that there may be one Water User Association for more than one Minor Scheme when the aggregate command area of such schemes is less than 200 ha and are located next to each other or, are at reasonable distance from one another; (2) The modifications of delineated Water Users Association Area in sub-section (1) shall be notified by the District Collector and would be based on recommendations made by the Canal Officer in Charge of irrigation project and such canal officer shall arrive at the recommendation made in this regard only after consultation with the farmers who are proposed beneficiaries under such Schemes; (3) Every Water Users Associations' Area shall be divided into territorial constituencies which shall be up to ten in minor irrigation systems and twelve in major and medium irrigation systems: Provided that there is no necessity of formation of ten territorial constituencies for constituting a Water Users' Association in cases of commanded area of less than two hundred hectares and no necessity of formation of any territorial constituency in case of Lift Irrigation Water Users' Association.

(1) There shall be a Water Users' Association called by its local distinct name for every Water Users' Association's area delineated under Section 3. (2) Every Water Users' Association shall consist of the following members, namely:-(a) all the water users who are land holders in a water users' area: Provided that when both the owner and the tenant are landholders in respect of the same land, the tenant would be the deemed Water user; Provided further that any person who is in lawful possession and enjoyment of the land under a water source, on proof of such possession and such enjoyment in a crop year, may claim membership notwithstanding whether he is recorded land holder or not, in which case the Water Users' Association shall not refuse the membership of such person for the purposes of this Act, and such person shall be liable to pay the water charges and the fees as may be prescribed as if he is the water user; Provided further that the wife / wives of such land holder, who do not hold land, shall deemed to be the landholders for the purpose of this act. (b) all other water users in a water users' area; (c) Government may, by notification, nominate one officer each from the Water Resources Department and the Department of Agriculture or Ayacut Department to be the members of the Water Users' Association as advisors and without having the right to vote. (3) The members specified in sub-section (2) shall constitute the general body of the Water Users' Association.

(1) There shall be a Managing Committee for every Water User Association. (2) The Managing Committee for each Water Users Association would comprise of the elected representatives of the Territorial Constituencies as specified in sub-section (3) of Section 3. (3) The term of the office of the members of the territorial constituencies shall, if not recalled or removed or disqualified under the provisions of the Act, shall be five years from the date of first meeting of the Managing Committee: Provided that the term of office can be extended up to one year by the State Government, under special circumstances. (4) The first meeting of Management Committee shall be held within 30 days after the declaration of election results. (5) The District Collector shall make arrangements for the election of President of the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association by direct election by the method of secret ballot in the manner prescribed. (6) The District Collector shall cause arrangement for the election of a Managing Committee consisting of one member from each of the territorial constituencies of a Water Users area by a simplified election procedure in the manner prescribed: Provided that a person eligible to become an elected representative of more than one territorial constituency of a Water Users' Association shall be entitled to be such a representative of only one territorial constituency, at his option and he/she shall exercise such option before filing his/her nomination for the election; Provided further that no person can be a member of a Managing Committee of more than one Water Users' Association. (7) If at an election, the President or the members of the territorial constituencies of Water Users' Association are not elected fresh election shall be held within a period of 90 days from the date of failure in the same manner as specified in sub-section (5) or (6), as the case may be. (8) The State Government may nominate an officer at an appropriate level from the Water Resources Department without having the right to vote, to be the Secretary of the managing committee of the Water Users' Association. (9) The Managing Committee shall elect one Treasurer from among the members of the Managing Committee to assist the President and the Treasurer shall function as directed by the Managing Committee. (10) For the purposes of equitable distribution of water, adequate representation shall be given in the Managing Committee to the water users from the Head, Middle and Tail reaches of the area of operation of the Water Users' Association as may be prescribed; (11) Seats shall be reserved in every Management Committee of Water Users' Association for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes and the number of seats so reserved shall bear as nearly as may be the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in that Water Users' Association as the number of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes of the water users in that water users area bears to the total number of water users of that area and such seats shall be allotted by the prescribed authority to different Territorial Constituency in that Water Users Association, in the prescribed manner. Provided that such reservation of seats shall not exceed fifty percent of the total members of the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association. (12) The Territorial Constituency which have no population of Scheduled Castes, Schedules Tribes or other Backward Classes of water users shall be excluded for allotment of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or other Backward Classes as the case maybe. (13) One third of total number of seats reserved under subsection (11) and unreserved seats shall be reserved for women candidates and the reservation shall be horizontal and compartment-wise. Explanation: "Horizontal and compartment-wise reservation" means reservations in each category namely; Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other Backward Classes and General. (14) Seats reserved for women may be allotted by the prescribed authority by drawing of lots and by rotation to different Territorial Constituency in a Water Users' Association in the prescribed manner. (15) There shall be nomination of one member from the Gram Panchayat, from among the Gram Panchayat(s) within the water users' area, to the Managing Committee and such member shall not have the right to vote. Provided that such nomination would be decided by the Managing Committee in concurrence with the Gram Panchayat(s) in the water users' area and in the prescribed manner. (16) The President of the Managing Committee of water users association shall, if not recalled or removed or disqualified by the provisions of the Act, be in office for a period of five years from the date of election or his tenure as member of territorial constituency, whichever is earlier. (17) The Managing Committee shall exercise the [text ends mid-sentence in source] (11) The number of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes in the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association shall bear as nearly as may be the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled in that Managing Committee as the number of water users area bears to the total number of water users of that area and such seats shall be allotted by the prescribed authority to different Territorial Constituency in that Water Users Association, in the prescribed manner. Provided that such reservation of seats shall not exceed fifty percent of the total members of the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association. (12) The Territorial Constituency which have no population of Scheduled Castes, Schedules Tribes or other Backward Classes of water users shall be excluded for allotment of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or other Backward Classes as the case maybe. (13) One third of total number of seats reserved under subsection (11) and unreserved seats shall be reserved for women candidates and the reservation shall be horizontal and compartment-wise. Explanation: "Horizontal and compartment-wise reservation" means reservations in each category namely; Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other Backward Classes and General. (14) Seats reserved for women may be allotted by the prescribed authority by drawing of lots and by rotation to different Territorial Constituency in a Water Users' Association in the prescribed manner. (15) There shall be nomination of one member from the Gram Panchayat, from among the Gram Panchayat(s) within the water users' area, to the Managing Committee and such member shall not have the right to vote. Provided that such nomination would be decided by the Managing Committee in concurrence with the Gram Panchayat(s) in the water users' area and in the prescribed manner. (16) The President of the Managing Committee of water users association shall, if not recalled or removed or disqualified by the provisions of the Act, be in office for a period of five years from the date of election or his tenure as member of territorial constituency, whichever is earlier. (17) The Managing Committee shall exercise the powers and perform the functions of the Water Users' Association.

(1) Every Farmers Organisation shall consist of all the farmers, who are holders of land in the area of operation of the Farmers Organisation, as members; provided that: (i) In any Farmers Organisation, a tenant or a person in authorised possession of the land shall be deemed to be a farmer for the purpose of this Act; (ii) The executive committee of the Farmers Organisation may invite such other persons, if necessary, as special invitees having no voting rights to attend the meeting. (2) The Farmers Organisation shall be named after the irrigation scheme, water body or such other source as the government may specify in this behalf. (1) The State Government may, by notification and in accordance with the rules made in this behalf: delineate every command area of the irrigation system, comprising of three or more water users' association, and declare it to be a distributory area for the purpose of this Act: Provided that for medium and major schemes, a Distributory Committee may be formed only when its water distribution network so warrants. (2) The delineation in (1) shall be based on recommendation made jointly by the Canal Officer in charge of the concerned irrigation project and the concerned Water User Associations.

(1) In every Farmers Organisation, the general body shall be the supreme authority. (2) (a) The executive committee shall be constituted for each Farmers Organisation, which shall be chosen by the members in the general body meeting by election or consensus; (b) The executive committee of each Farmers Organisation shall consist of such number of members as may be prescribed, and it shall be the duty of the executive committee to perform the functions as per the provisions of this Act. (1) There shall be a Distributory Committee called by its local distinct name for every distributory area declared as such under sub-section (1) of Section 6. (2) (a) All the Presidents and Management Committee members of the water users associations in the distributory area, so long as they hold such office, shall constitute the general body of the committee. (b) Government may, by notification, nominate one officer each from the Water Resources Department and the Department of Agriculture or Ayacut Department to be the members of the Distributory Committee as advisors and without having the right to vote.

(1) The farmers of the area of operation shall form a Farmers Organisation and shall apply for registration to the prescribed authority. (2) Every Farmers Organisation, after its constitution, shall get itself registered with the prescribed authority in the form as may be prescribed, along with the bye-laws of the organisation and payment of such fee as may be determined by the State Government, and the prescribed authority shall issue the registration certificate within 30 days of receiving the application. (3) If the prescribed authority fails to register the Farmers Organisation within the stipulated time, the Farmers Organisation shall be deemed to have been registered. (4) The executive committee of each Farmers Organisation and of every tier shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal and shall have power to acquire, hold and dispose of property both movable and immovable and to enter into contracts and shall consist of the name as mentioned in the registration certificate. (5) If any question arises whether a person is a farmer or not, the decision of the prescribed authority shall be final. (6) The executive committee of the Farmers Organisation shall carry out the functions of the Water Users Association or such other functions as may be prescribed and shall have power to raise resources in the form of membership fee or such other charges as may be prescribed, and to engage in the management, operation and maintenance of the irrigation system. (7) Every Farmers Organisation, whether registered or not, shall be eligible to receive and manage funds as per such guidelines as may be issued by the Government. (8) All the records, accounts and other documents of the Farmers Organisation shall be maintained in such manner as may be prescribed. (9) Any dispute or difference arising out of or in connection with the Farmers Organisation shall be referred to the prescribed authority. (10) The executive committee of the Farmers Organisation shall have power to appoint such staff as may be required for the management and maintenance of the irrigation system. (1) There shall be a Managing Committee for every Distributory Committee. (2) The State Government shall cause arrangements, in such manner as may be prescribed, for the election by the method of secret ballot of the President and Members of the Managing Committee who shall be five or more in number but not more than fifteen and depending on the commanded area covered by that distributory command and from amongst the members of the general body of the Distributory Committee: Provided that if at an election, the President or the members of the Managing Committee for a Distributory Committee are not elected, fresh election shall be held within a period of 90 days from the date of failure in the same manner as specified above. (3) The State Government may nominate an officer at an appropriate level from the Water Resources Department without having the right to vote, to be the Secretary of the managing committee of the Distributory Committee. (4) The Managing Committee shall elect one Treasurer from among the members of the Managing Committee to assist the President and the Treasurer shall function at the direction of the Managing Committee. (5) For the purposes of equitable distribution of water, adequate representation shall be given in the Managing Committee from the Head, Middle and Tail reaches of the area of operation of the Distributory Committee in such manner as may be prescribed. (6) Seats shall be reserved in every Managing Committee of Distributory Committee for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes and the number of seats so reserved shall bear as nearly as may be the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filed in that Managing Committee as the number of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes of the water users in that distributory area bears to the total number of water users of that area and such seats shall be reserved by the prescribed authority and in the prescribed manner. Provided that such reservation of seats shall not exceed fifty percent of the total members of the Managing Committee of the Distributory Committee. (7) One third of total number of seats reserved under subsection (6) and unreserved seats shall be reserved for women candidates and the reservation shall be horizontal and compartment-wise. Explanation: "Horizontal and compartment-wise reservation" means reservations in each category namely; Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other Backward Classes and General. (8) Seats reserved for women may be reserved in the prescribed manner. (9) There shall be nomination of one member from the Janapad Panchayat, from among the Janapad Panchayat(s) within the Distributory area, to the Managing Committee and such member shall not have the right to vote. Provided that such nomination would be decided by the Managing Committee in concurrence with the Janapad Panchayat(s) in the Distributory area and in the prescribed manner. (10) The term of office of the President and the members of the Managing Committee shall be five years from the date of the first meeting of the Managing Committee, unless recalled earlier under section 14 of the Act. Provided that the term of office can be extended up to one year by the State Government, under special circumstances. (11) The first meeting of Management Committee shall be held within 30 days after the declaration of elections results. (12) The Managing Committee shall exercise the powers and perform the functions of the Distributory Committee.

Meetings and proceedings of the Farmers Organisation shall be held in such manner as may be prescribed. (1) The State Government may by notification and in accordance with the rules made under this Act in this behalf, delineate every command area or part thereof, and declare it to be a project area for the purposes of this Act. (2) The delineation in sub-section (1) shall be based on recommendations made jointly by the Canal Officer in Charge of the concerned irrigation projects and the Presidents of the Distributory Committees in the project area.

(1) The election of the members of the executive committee shall be held in the general body meeting of the Farmers Organisation in the manner as may be prescribed. (2) The term of office of the members of the executive committee shall be five years from the date of the meeting in which they are elected. (3) Any member of the executive committee who is absent from three consecutive meetings shall cease to be a member of the executive committee unless a resolution for the extension of the term is passed by the general body. (4) The executive committee shall meet as often as may be necessary but not less than once in every three months, and the quorum for the meeting shall be as may be prescribed. (1) There shall be a Project Committee called by its distinct name for every project area declared as such under sub-section (1) of Section 9 above. (2) In Irrigation systems, where there are distributory committees all the Presidents and member of managing committee of the Distributory Committees in the Project Area, so long as they hold such office, shall constitute the general body of the Project Committee. (3) In Irrigation systems, where there are no distributory committees all the Presidents and member of managing committee of the Water Users Associations in the project area, so long as they hold such office, shall constitute the general body of the Project Committee. (4) Government may, by notification, nominate one officer each from the Water Resources Department and the Department of Agriculture or Ayacut Department to be the members of the Project Committee as advisors and without having the right to vote.

(1) The Farmers Organisation shall be responsible for the management, maintenance and operation of the irrigation system within its area of operation. (2) The Farmers Organisation shall prepare the irrigation plan and the budget for the operation and maintenance of the irrigation system and shall get it approved by the general body. (3) The Farmers Organisation shall ensure the equitable distribution of water to all the farmers in its area of operation. (4) The Farmers Organisation shall maintain the records of the water users and the water supply. (5) The Farmers Organisation shall resolve the disputes among the members regarding water distribution. (6) The Farmers Organisation shall have the power to impose and collect irrigation charges and other dues from the members and shall perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the Government. (1) The appropriate Government shall constitute Farmer Organization in accordance with the provisions of this Act. (2) The Farmer Organization shall consist of all the water users and Land Holders in the area of operation and the said organization will be responsible for the management of the irrigation system and implementation of the provisions of this Act. (3) The Farmer Organization shall be known as "Water Users Association" or such other name as the appropriate Government may notify. (4) The appropriate Government may for the purpose of constitution of the Farmer Organization, divide the command area of any irrigation system into such number of demarcated areas as may be prescribed. (5) The Farmer Organization shall perform the functions of management, maintenance and operation of the irrigation system as may be prescribed. (6) The Farmer Organization shall act as a juristic person holding assets and liabilities in its own name, shall have perpetual succession and a common seal and may sue and be sued in its own name. The Water Users Association shall have its own funds and shall be responsible for maintenance of its accounts. (7) The Farmer Organization shall be an autonomous body. It shall be governed by an Executive Committee which shall be elected/selected in accordance with the provisions of this Act. (8) The Executive Committee shall have powers to act in the name of the Farmer Organization. (9) Every Farmer Organization shall have by-laws for its administration and management in accordance with the guidelines framed by the State Government. (10) The Farmer Organization may from time to time frame rules/by-laws for election, procedure of meetings and other related matters for its efficient operation. (12) The Farmer Organization shall have the powers to impose social/administrative sanctions on its members for breach of common resolutions/rules in accordance with the provisions of the Act. (13) No member or office bearer of the Farmer Organization shall be held personally liable for any act done in good faith in the discharge of duties. (1) There shall be a Managing Committee for every Project Committee. (2) State Government shall cause arrangements, in such manner as may be prescribed, for the election by the method of secret ballot of the members of the Managing Committee who shall not be more than nine from amongst the members of the general body of the Project Committee. If, at an election held, President and the Members of the Managing Committee are not elected, fresh elections shall be held in the prescribed manner. (3) The State Government may nominate an officer at an appropriate level from the Water Resources Department without having the right to vote, to be the Secretary of the managing committee of the Project Committee. (4) The Managing Committee shall elect one Treasurer from among the members of the Managing Committee to assist the President and the Treasurer shall function at the direction of the Managing Committee. (5) For the purposes of equitable distribution of water, adequate representation shall be given in Management Committee of the Project Committee from the Head, Middle and Tail reaches of the area of operation of the Project Committee in such manner as may be prescribed. (6) Seats shall be reserved in every Managing Committee of the Project Committee for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes and the number of seats so reserved shall bear as nearly as may be the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filed in that Managing Committee as the number of (1) There shall be a Managing Committee for every Project Committee. (2) State Government shall cause arrangements, in such manner as may be prescribed, for the election by the method of secret ballot of the members of the Managing Committee who shall not be more than nine from amongst the members of the general body of the Project Committee. If, at an election held, President and the Members of the Managing Committee are not elected, fresh elections shall be held in the prescribed manner. (3) The State Government may nominate an officer at an appropriate level from the Water Resources Department without having the right to vote, to be the Secretary of the managing committee of the Project Committee. (4) The Managing Committee shall elect one Treasurer from among the members of the Managing Committee to assist the President and the Treasurer shall function at the direction of the Managing Committee. (5) For the purposes of equitable distribution of water, adequate representation shall be given in the Managing Committee of the Project Committee from the Head, Middle and Tail reaches of the area of operation of the Project Committee in such manner as may be prescribed. (6) Seats shall be reserved in every Managing Committee of the Project Committee for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes and the number of seats so reserved shall bear as nearly as may be the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled in that Managing Committee as the number of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes of the water users in that Project area bears to the total number of water users of that area and such seats shall be reserved by the prescribed authority and in the prescribed manner. Provided that such reservation of seats shall not exceed fifty percent of the total members of the Managing Committee of the Project Committee. (7) One third of total number of seats reserved under subsection (6) and unreserved seats shall be reserved for women candidates and the reservation shall be horizontal and compartment-wise. Explanation: "Horizontal and compartment-wise reservation" means reservations in each category namely; Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other Backward Classes and General. (8) Seats reserved for Women may be reserved in the prescribed manner. (9) There shall be nomination of one member from the Zila Panchayat, from among the Zila Panchayat(s) within the Project area, to the Managing Committee and such member shall not have the right to vote. Provided that such nomination would be decided by the Managing Committee in concurrence with the Zila Panchayat(s) in the Project area and in the prescribed manner. (10) The term of office of the President and the members of the Managing Committee shall be five years from the date of first meeting of Managing Committee. Provided that the term of office can be extended up to one year by the State Government under special circumstances. (11) The first meeting of management committee shall be held within 30 days after the declaration of election results. (12) The term of office of the President and the members of the Managing Committee of Project Committee shall if not recalled or removed or disqualified under the provisions of the Act earlier, be coterminous with their respective terms as specified. (13) The Managing Committee shall exercise the powers and perform the functions of Project Committee.

The Executive Committee of the Farmer Organization shall be managed by a body consisting of 11 members representing the different sections of the community, which shall include the President and the members as may be prescribed under the rules. The farmers' organisation under the Act may decide to federate and form a state level farmers federation to facilitate interactions of the state government and non government organizations with the farmers, to support farmers participation in management of irrigation systems and further to coordinate and deal with allied activities relating to irrigated agriculture.

(1) The election of the members of the Executive Committee shall be held in accordance with the prescribed procedure as follows: (a) President, (b) Members, (c) Representation: For the representation of all categories of land holders, ensuring that reasonable representation is given to small and marginal farmers, SC/ST, and women in the Executive Committee. (2) The term of the Executive Committee shall be for a period of five years. (3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the State Government may issue directions regarding the method of election and any other related matter to ensure fair, transparent and free elections to the Executive Committee. (4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the members and the President may be removed from their office if they are found guilty of misconduct or misuse of the funds or other assets of the Farmer Organization. (1) The State Government may by Notification, constitute a Policy Committee consisting of the following Members, namely:- (a) The Minister in charge of Water Resources Department - Chairperson; (b) three persons from amongst the Presidents of the Project Committee; (c) two persons from amongst the Presidents of Water User Associations from the minor irrigation systems; (d) two persons from non-government organisations including one person having knowledge in the field of participatory irrigation management; and (e) three officers not below the rank of Chief Engineer or equivalent including one each from the Water Resources Department, Agriculture Department and Ayacut Department of the State Government. (2) The number of members may be increased by such number as may be considered necessary by the State Government. (3) The committee constituted under sub-section (1) shall mandatorily have at least one third women members from amongst the Presidents of the Project Committee and the Presidents of the Water Users' Associations and to the extent possible representatives of Government department and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) shall also have at least one third women. (4) The Committee, constituted under sub-section (1) shall exercise such powers and functions as may be necessary to lay down the policies for implementation of the provisions of this Act.

(1) A motion for recall of a President or member of a Managing Committee, as the case may be, of a farmers' organisation may be made by giving a written notice as may be prescribed, signed by not less than one third of the total number of members of the farmers' organisation, who are entitled to vote. Provided that no notice of motion under this section shall be made within one year of the date of assumption of office by the person against whom the motion is sought to be moved. (2) If the motion is carried with the support of the two thirds majority of the members present and voting and half of the total number of members of the association, voting at a meeting of the general body specially convened for purpose, the District collector or the state Government, as the case may be, shall by order remove him from office and the vacancy shall be filled in the manner specified in Section 20.

(1) The accounts of the Farmer Organization shall be maintained in such manner as may be prescribed. (2) The accounts of the Farmer Organization shall be audited annually by a Chartered Accountant or such other auditor as may be notified by the Government. The audit report shall be placed before the General Body of the Association within 6 months of the close of the financial year. The audit report shall be submitted to the competent authority for verification and record. The President of a farmers' organisation may be removed by the members of the Managing Committee of the same farmers' organisation through a resolution passed by two-third members of such managing committee.

(1) The Managing Committee of a farmers' organization may constitute sub-committee to carryout all or any of the functions vested in each organization under the Act. (2) The sub-committees constituted under sub-section (1) shall have a minimum of one-third women members from the concerned farmers' organisation.

Every farmers' organisation shall be a body corporate with a distinct name having perpetual succession and a common seal and subject to the provisions of this Act vested with the capacity of entering into contracts and of doing all things necessary, proper or expedient for the purposes for which it is constituted and it shall sue and be sued in its corporate name represented by the President, as the case may be: Provided that no farmers' organisation shall have the power to alienate in any manner, any property vested in it.

The Farmer Organization shall have the following powers and responsibilities: (a) To prepare the irrigation schedule; (b) To manage the distribution of water; (c) To resolve internal conflicts; (d) To maintain the quality of water distribution; (e) Any other power as may be delegated by the State Government. The State Government may, in the interest of a Farmers' Organisation in the command area and with prior consent of the concerned farmers' organisation, by notification, and in accordance with the rules made in this behalf, - (a) form a new farmers' organisation by separating the area from any farmers' organisation; (b) increase the area of any farmers' organisation; (c) diminish the area of any farmers' organisation; (d) alter the boundaries of any farmers' organisation; or (e) cancel a notification issued under this Act for rectifying of any mistake. Provided that no such separation, increase, diminution, alteration or cancellation shall be effected unless a reasonable opportunity of being heard is given to the organisation likely to be affected. The State Government may, in the interest of a Farmers' Organisation in the command area and with prior consent of the concerned farmers' organisation, by notification, and in accordance with the rules made in this behalf, - (a) form a new farmers' organisation by separating the area from any farmers' organisation; (b) increase the area of any farmers' organisation; (c) diminish the area of any farmers' organisation; (d) alter the boundaries of any farmers' organisation; or (e) cancel a notification issued under this Act for rectifying of any mistake. Provided that no such separation, increase, diminution, alteration or cancellation shall be effected unless a reasonable opportunity of being heard is given to the organisation likely to be affected.

(1) A member shall be disqualified from holding the office of President or Member of the Executive Committee if they are convicted of any offense involving moral turpitude or are declared insolvent by a competent court. (2) Members shall be subject to rules regarding conflict of interest. (3) [Content as per text: Details regarding eligibility criteria and disqualification parameters based on local representation and conduct clauses]. (4) [Content as per text: Provisions relating to the removal of members]. (5) [Content as per text: Procedure for replacement in case of vacancy]. (1) No officer or servant of the Government of India or any State Government or of a local authority or an employee of any institution receiving aid from the funds of the State Government shall be qualified for being chosen as or for being a President or a member of a Managing Committee. (2) No person who has been convicted by a criminal court for any offences involving moral turpitude shall be qualified for being chosen as or for being a President, or a member of a Managing Committee. (3) A person shall be disqualified for being chosen as a President or a member of a Managing Committee if on the date fixed for scrutiny of nominations for election he is: - (a) of unsound mind; (b) an applicant to be adjudicated as an. (1) No officer or servant of the Government of India or any State Government or of a local authority or an employee of any institution receiving aid from the funds of the State Government shall be qualified for being chosen as or for being a President or a member of a Managing Committee. (2) No person who has been convicted by a criminal court for any offences involving moral turpitude shall be qualified for being chosen as or for being a President, or a member of a Managing Committee. (3) A person shall be disqualified for being chosen as a President or a member of a Managing Committee if on the date fixed for scrutiny of nominations for election he is: - (a) of unsound mind; (b) an applicant to be adjudicated as an insolvent or an undischarged insolvent; or (c) a defaulter of land revenue or water tax or charges payable either to the State Government or to the farmers' organisation: Provided that the defaulter as above, on payment of arrears for the previous three years would not be disqualified and such limit of the previous three years would apply only for the purposes of the first election after the enactment of this Act; (d) interested in a subsisting contract made with, or any work being done for, the Gram Panchayat, Janpad Panchayat, Zila Panchayat; or any State Government or Central Government or the farmers' organisation: Provided that a person shall not be deemed to have any interest in such contract or work by reason only of his having share or interest in: - (i) a company as a mere share-holder but not as a director; (ii) any lease, sale or purchase of immovable property or any agreement for the same; or (iii) any agreement for the loan of money or any security for the payment of money only; or (iv) any newspaper in which any advertisement relating to the affairs of the farmers' organisation is inserted; Explanation. - for the removal of doubts it is hereby declared that where a contract is fully performed it shall not be deemed to be subsisting merely on the ground that the Gram Panchayat, Janpad Panchayat, Zila Panchayat, the Farmers' organisation, the State Government or Central Government has not performed its part of the contractual obligations. (e) a person rendered landless or having interest in usage due to sale or transfer of land in area of operation after constitution of Water Users' Association; (f) employed in Government or Semi Government organisation or local body; (4) A President or a member of a Managing Committee shall also become disqualified to continue in office if he - (a) absents from three consecutive meetings without reasonable cause; (b) is a person who incurs any of the disqualifications mentioned in sub-section (1), (2) and (3) and he shall cease to hold the office forthwith; Provided that disqualification under clause (a) shall not apply in the case of women who are in advanced stage of pregnancy and for a period of three months after delivery. (5) A member of the Water Users' Association or a President or a member of a Managing Committee shall become disqualified to continue the office, if he/she ceases to be a Water User.

(1) The President or any member of the Executive Committee may be removed from office if they have committed any breach of the Act or failed to discharge their duties under the Act, following a resolution passed by a majority of the members of the Farmer Organization. (a), (b), (c) [Details regarding inquiry and quorum for removal]. (2) [Content as per text: Procedure for conducting the removal inquiry]. (3) [Content as per text: Right of the affected individual to be heard prior to finalization of removal]. (1) A vacancy arising either due to disqualification under sections 14 and 19 or due to death or resignation or by any reason, such vacancy shall be filled up by nomination in the following manner, namely: - (a) In case of the vacancy of the Water Users' Association President, the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association will select an acting President from its members. Failing to be able to make this decision, the Collector shall appoint one member of the Managing Committee as the Acting President. In the case of the vacancy of a member of the Managing Committee, or when a member of the Managing Committee has been nominated as President, the Collector shall arrange an election in the respective Territorial Constituency in the prescribed manner; (b) In case of the vacancy of the President of the Distributory Committee, the Managing Committee of the Distributory Committee will select an acting President from amongst themselves. Failing to be able to make this decision the vacancy shall be filled by nomination by the managing committee of the Project Committee in the manner prescribed. In the case of the vacancy of a member of the Managing Committee of the distributory committee, or when a member of the Managing Committee has been nominated as President, the concerned Chief Engineer shall appoint a representative from the respective Water Users' Associations; (c) In case of a vacancy of the President of the project committee the Managing Committee of the Project Committee will select an acting President from amongst themselves. Failing to be able to make this decision, the concerned Chief Engineer will appoint one member of the Project Committee as the Acting President. In the case of the vacancy of a member of the Managing Committee of the Project Committee, or when a member of the Project Committee has been nominated as President, the concerned Chief Engineer shall appoint a representative from the respective Distributory Committees; (2) Where the District Collector is required to arrange for an election for filling up of vacancies in sub section (1), the Collector shall take necessary steps to conduct elections to fill up any vacancy caused within a period of two months from the date of occurrence of such vacancy. However, if it is within three months of the ordinary election, the election will be held as normally scheduled. (3) The term of office of a member or President of a farmers' organisation elected under sub-section (2) shall expire at the time at which it would have expired; if he had been elected at the ordinary election.

In case of failure of the Farmer Organization to discharge its duties as per the provisions of the Act, the Government may order its dissolution. Sankalp Patra (Memorandum of Association) of every Water Users Association, as per its area of operation and having the approval of the general body, shall be filed with the Distict Collector or the officer authorised by him in this behalf. For every Lift Irrigation and Tube Well Scheme under this Act, there shall be one Water Users' Association.

A Canal Officer not below the rank of an Executive Engineer, duly empowered by the competent authority in this behalf shall, by notification in the Official Gazette and in accordance with the rules made under the Act, delineate command areas of Lift and Tubewell Water Users' Associations, separately based on prescribed guidelines and declare those area to be the areas of operation of respective Lift and Tube Well Irrigation Water Users' Associations for the purposes of this Act.

The authority competent under this Act shall have the power to intervene in the management of the irrigation system to ensure the objectives of the Act are met, including the power to issue directions to the Farmer Organization. Every Water Users Association shall be registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860. The application for registration shall be submitted to the Registrar of Societies of the concerned district. The application shall be accompanied by the Memorandum of Association, Rules and Regulations (Bye-laws) and a list of the members of the Managing Committee. The Registrar shall, after such inquiry as he deems fit, and on being satisfied that the association has been formed in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder, register the association and grant a certificate of registration. In Order to avoid overlapping in command areas of flow and lift irrigation and complications arising thereby, a Canal Officer not below the rank of an Executive Engineer, duly empowered by the competent authority in this behalf with prior consent of the beneficiary farmers may give permission to form Lift Irrigation Water Users' Association, on notified rivers or streams in the command of flow irrigation, after delineating the area of flow and lift irrigation separately in the prescribed manner.

Where the Government is of the opinion that a Water Users Association is not functioning in accordance with the provisions of this Act or its Bye-laws or has failed to carry out the functions or duties assigned to it or fails to hold elections in accordance with the rules or has committed any financial irregularity, the Government may appoint an Administrator for such period as it may deem fit. The Administrator shall exercise all powers and perform all functions of the Managing Committee of the Water Users Association during the period of his appointment. The Administrator shall have the power to take all necessary steps to restore the normal functioning of the association and to conduct the elections of the Managing Committee in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder. The objects of the farmers' organisation shall be to promote and secure equitable distribution of water among its users; adequate maintenance of the irrigation system, efficient and economical utilization of water to optimize agricultural production, to protect the environment, and to ensure ecological balance by involving the farmers, inculcating a sense of ownership of the irrigation system in accordance with the water budget and the operation plan. The farmers' organisation may also engage into any activity of common interest of members in the command area related to irrigation and agriculture such as procurement and distribution of seeds, fertilizers and pesticides; procurement and renting of agricultural implements; marketing and processing agricultural produce from the Command Area and supplementary business like dairy, fisheries, etc. The objects of the farmers' organisation shall be to promote and secure equitable distribution of water among its users; adequate maintenance of the irrigation system, efficient and economical utilization of water to optimize agricultural production, to protect the environment, and to ensure ecological balance by involving the farmers, inculcating a sense of ownership of the irrigation system in accordance with the water budget and the operation plan. The farmers' organisation may also engage into any activity of common interest of members in the command area related to irrigation and agriculture such as procurement and distribution of seeds, fertilizers and pesticides; procurement and renting of agricultural implements; marketing and processing agricultural produce from the Command Area and supplementary business like dairy and fisheries.

(1) No person shall be eligible for being elected as or for being a member of the Managing Committee if he— (a) has been convicted of any offence involving moral turpitude; (b) is an undischarged insolvent; (c) has been removed from any office of profit or trust for misconduct. (2) If any question arises as to whether a member has become subject to any disqualification, the matter shall be referred to the authority prescribed by rules, whose decision shall be final. (1) The Water Users' Association shall perform following functions, namely: - (a) to prepare and implement a warabandi schedule for each irrigation season consistent with the operational plan based upon entitlement, area, soil and cropping pattern, as approved by the... (1) The Water Users' Association shall perform following functions, namely: - (a) to prepare and implement a warabandi schedule for each irrigation season consistent with the operational plan based upon entitlement, area, soil and cropping pattern, as approved by the Distributory Committee, or as the case may be, the Project Committee; (b) to prepare a plan for the maintenance of irrigation system in the area of its operation at the end of each crop season and carry out the maintenance works of both distributory system and minor and field drains in its area of operation with the funds of the association from time to time and to provide funds for the maintenance of staff including such persons who are placed by the State Government with the Water Users' Association for the purpose of regulation and maintenance of irrigation system; (c) to seek information regarding canal operation schedule from the upper level Committee or the concerned canal officer; (d) to convene a meeting of the Managing Committee before each irrigation season to guide and help the members regarding- (i) Canal operation schedule and water distribution programme; (ii) Maintenance of canal system before commencement of season; (iii) the information about the latest decisions taken by the upper level committees; (e) to make recommendation to the Managing Committee for, and prior to, decisions relating to water allocation, cropping schedule, operation and maintenance of the irrigation system; (f) to collect prescribed rate of water charges from the members of the Association including arrears that may arise after the coming into force of this Act and deposit the charges so collected in the manner prescribed; (g) to collect the arrears on water charges arisen before the coming into force of this Act under an appropriate incentive scheme to be devised by the state government and as prescribed under the rules; (h) to carry out annual maintenance and repairs of canal system falling under its jurisdiction; (i) to regulate the use of the water among various pipe outlets under its area of operation according to the warabandi schedule of the system; (j) to promote economy in the use of water allocated; (k) to maintain a register of land holders as published by the Revenue Department; (l) to prepare and maintain a register of co-opted members; (m) to prepare and maintain an inventory of the irrigation system within the area of operation; (n) to monitor flow of water for irrigation; (o) to undertake all allied activities related to irrigated agriculture; (p) to resolve the disputes, if any, between members and water users in its area of operation; (q) to raise resources; (r) to maintain accounts; (s) to cause annual audit of its accounts; (t) to assist to conduct elections to the Managing Committee; (u) to maintain other records in such manner as may be prescribed; (v) to abide by decisions of the Distributory and Project Committees; (w) to conduct General Body meetings in such manner as may be prescribed; (x) to conduct regular water budgeting and also to conduct periodical social audit in such manner as may be prescribed. (2) Power to remove encroachments:- A Water Users' Association may remove encroachments from property attached to the canal system within its area of operation in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed. (3) Agreement with the Water Users' Association:- (a) There shall be an agreement between the Water Users' Association and the upper level committee or the Canal Officer within three months of the constitution of the concerned Water Users' Association; (b) Supply of water for irrigation to any Water Users' Association within the area of management of irrigation systems by farmers and provisions for proper maintenance and repairs of irrigation systems within the area of a farmers' organisation shall be in accordance with the agreement; (c) The Agreement shall contain the contents as may be prescribed.

(1) The Managing Committee shall be responsible for the following functions: (a) To prepare and implement the water distribution plan; (b) To maintain the irrigation system in its area of operation; (c) To collect water charges from the members and remit the same to the Government; (d) To ensure equitable distribution of water; (e) To maintain accounts of the association; (f) To supervise the work of the canal inspectors and other staff; (g) To resolve disputes among members; (h) To ensure the protection of irrigation works from damage or encroachment; (i) To conduct annual general body meetings; (j) To perform such other functions as may be prescribed. (2) The Managing Committee shall have the power to: (a) Levy and collect fines for unauthorized use of water; (b) Stop the supply of water to any member who fails to pay water charges or violates the rules; (c) Enter into contracts for the maintenance of the irrigation system within its area of operation; (d) Seek assistance from the Government for the development and maintenance of the system; (e) Perform such other acts as may be necessary for the efficient management of the irrigation system. The Distributory Committee shall perform the following functions, namely: (a) to prepare an operational plan based on its entitlement area, soil, cropping pattern, at the beginning of each irrigation season, consistent with the operational plan prepared by the Project Committee; (b) prior to each season, identify the critical maintenance works that are to be carried out, prioritize these works, prepare a plan for the maintenance of both distributories and medium drains within area of its operation, execute the maintenance works with the fund of the committee, monitor the maintenance works being executed and ensure that they conform to prescribed standards and to provide funds for the maintenance of staff including such persons who are placed by the State Government with the Distributory Committee for the purpose of regulation and maintenance of irrigation system; (c) to regulate the use of water among the various Water User Associations and monitor the flow of water for irrigation under its area of operation; (d) to resolve disputes, if any, among the Water Users Associations in its area of operations; (e) to maintain a register of Water User Associations in it area of operations; (f) to maintain an inventory of the irrigation system in the area of its operation, including drains; (g) to promote economy in the use of water allocated; (h) to maintain accounts; (i) to cause annual audit; (j) to maintain other records as may be prescribed; (k) to monitor flow of water for irrigation; (l) to conduct General Body meetings in such manner as may be prescribed; (m) to abide by decisions of the Project Committees; (n) to cause regular water budgeting and also the periodical social audit in such manner as may be prescribed; (o) to assist in the conduct of elections to the Managing Committee; (p) to establish bye-laws establishing rules and sanctions of the organization for implementing the above functions.

(1) The Water Users Association shall have a fund which shall consist of: (a) Grants received from the Government; (b) Contributions from the members; (c) Fines collected; (d) Any other income generated by the association. (2) The funds shall be utilized for the maintenance, repair and management of the irrigation system and for any other purposes as may be prescribed. The Project Committee shall perform the following functions, namely: - (a) to prepare an operational plan based on its entitlement area, soil, cropping pattern, within the project area at the beginning of each irrigation system; (b) to approve a plan for the extension, improvements, renovation, modernization and annual maintenance of irrigation system including the major drains within area of its operation at the end of each crop season and execute the maintenance works with the fund of the committee from time to time and to provide funds for the maintenance of staff including such persons who are placed by the State Government with the Distributory Committee for the purpose of regulation and maintenance of irrigation system; (c) to maintain a list of Distributory Committees and Water User Associations in its area of operation; (d) to maintain an inventory of the distributory and drainage systems in it area of operations; (e) to resolve disputes, if any, among the Distributory Committees; (f) to promote economy in the use of water; (g) to maintain accounts; (h) to cause annual audit of its accounts; (i) to maintain other records in such manner as may be prescribed; (j) to conduct General Body meetings in such manner as may be prescribed; (k) to cause regular water budgeting and also the periodical social audit in such manner as may be prescribed; (l) to work with the Canal Officer duly empowered by the competent authority to estimate the water availability before each season in the entire project area of each irrigation system; (m) to allocate water shares to each Distributory Committee and Water User Association. (b) to approve a plan for the extension, improvements, renovation, modernization and annual maintenance of irrigation system including the major drains within area of its operation at the end of each crop season and execute the maintenance works with the fund of the committee from time to time and to provide funds for the maintenance of staff including such persons who are placed by the State Government with the Distributory Committee for the purpose of regulation and maintenance of irrigation system. (c) to maintain a list of Distributory Committees and Water User Associations in its area of operation; (d) to maintain an inventory of the distributory and drainage systems in it area of operations; (e) to resolve disputes, if any, among the Distributory Committees; (f) to promote economy in the use of water; (g) to maintain accounts; (h) to cause annual audit of its accounts; (i) to maintain other records in such manner as may be prescribed; (j) to conduct General Body meetings in such manner as may be prescribed; (k) to cause regular water budgeting and also the periodical social audit in such manner as may be prescribed; (l) to work with the Canal Officer duly empowered by the competent authority to estimate the water availability before each season in the entire project area of each irrigation system; (m) to allocate water shares to each Distributory Committee and Water User Association; (n) to establish bye-laws establishing rules and sanctions of the organisation for implementing the above functions.

(1) The accounts of every Water Users Association shall be audited annually by an auditor appointed by the general body. (2) The report of the auditor shall be placed before the general body. (1) The State Government may, by notification, appoint such officer from the Water Resources Department, or any other department, as it considers necessary, to be the competent authority for every farmers' organisation for the purposes of this Act. (2) The competent authority appointed under sub-section (1) shall be responsible to the respective farmers' organisations in the implementation and execution of all decisions taken by the farmers' organisation in the prescribed manner and shall provide technical advice and ensure that the work is executed in accordance with the technical parameters.

The Water Users Association may appoint such staff as it deems necessary for the discharge of its functions, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed. (1) The Water Users Association shall levy water rates for the supply of water for agriculture purpose as approved by the General Body, and the Water Users Association shall be entitled to collect the same: Provided that the Water Users Association shall fix the water rates in accordance with the general policy laid down by the Government from time to time. (2) The Water Users Association, after collection of the water rates as per sub-section (1), shall retain such percentage of the amount as may be prescribed for the maintenance, operation and the management of the water system by the Water Users Association, and the remaining amount shall be remitted to the Government/Irrigation department as per the guidelines laid down by the Government. (1) The State Government or Competent Authority through a written Order may give directions to any farmers organisation relating to carrying out of duties or functions of the farmers organisation under this Act where such duties or functions are not being performed in an appropriate manner and where the State Government or the Competent Authority deems that the execution of such duties and functions is essential in public interest. (2) The farmers' organisation shall be bound to give effect to the directions made under sub-section (1) and if it fails to do so the State Government or the Competent Authority shall have the power to cause the carrying out of such duties and functions and from the funds of the farmers organisation, if any incurred and in the exercise of such power the State Government or the Competent Authority shall have the same power as would have been available with the farmers' organisation under the Act.

(1) Any dispute arising between members of a Water Users Association or between the association and its members shall be referred to the Executive Committee of the association for settlement. (2) If the dispute is not settled by the Executive Committee, it may be referred to the officer authorized by the Government, whose decision shall be final. (1) The Managing Committee shall prepare the annual budget for the approval of the General Body, containing the projected receipts and expenditure for the forthcoming financial year, with the details of the amount required as grant-in-aid from the Government and the amount to be raised by the Water Users Association. (2) The General Body, after due consideration of the budget prepared by the Managing Committee as per sub-section (1), shall approve it with or without modifications. (3) The copies of the approved budget shall be submitted to the Canal Officer and the Government, as the case may be. (1) The State Government or the Competent Authority, under this Act by a written order and with reasons therein, suspend any resolution or order or the effect of a permission or the carrying out of a function of a farmers' organisation, if in its opinion- (a) Such Resolution, Order, permission or function is inconsistent with the interest of the State; (b) Such Resolution, Order, permission or function is beyond the powers vested under this Act or is contrary to any law in force; (c) The execution of such Resolution, Order or continuance of permission may lead to- (i) The misappropriation, mis-utilisation or damage of funds vested in a farmers' organisation or damage to property vested in such organisation; (ii) adverse impact on public health and convenience. (2) The Competent Authority on making of an order under sub section (1) shall place before the State level Policy Committee constituted under this Act a copy of the Order along with the reasons for it as early as possible and in no case later than ten days from the date of the making of the Order and the State Level Policy Committee would approve the Order or set it aside or review it or modify it or may direct that the Order made with or without modification would continue to be in force for the period as the State Level Policy Committee may deem fit: Provided that the approval, setting aside, review or modification of the Order under this Section by the State Level Policy Committee for this purpose shall not be made unless the concerned farmers' organisation is given appropriate opportunity of hearing against the Order made under sub section (1) and before the State Government or the Competent Authority.

(1) The Water Users Association shall maintain proper accounts and other relevant records and prepare an annual statement of accounts including the balance sheet in such form as may be prescribed. (2) The accounts of the Water Users Association shall be audited by an auditor appointed by the General Body. (3) The audit report and the annual statement of accounts shall be placed before the General Body for its approval and a copy of the same shall be sent to the prescribed authority. (1) The funds of the farmers' organisation shall comprise of the following namely: (a) grants and commission received from the State Government as a share of the Irrigation Water charges collected in the area of operation of the farmers' organisation; (b) such other funds as may be granted by the State Government and Central Government for the development of the area of operation; (c) resources raised from any financing agency for undertaking any economic development activities in its area of operation; (d) income from the properties and assets attached to the irrigation system; (e) fees collected by the farmers' organisation for the services rendered in better management of the irrigation system; and (f) amounts received from any other sources. (2) The State Government may authorize the farmers' organisation to have their own resources for the maintenance of their irrigation system and growth of such farmers' organisation. (3) The water charges collected by the Water Users' Association shall be deposited with the treasury of the State Government and on such deposit a minimum of twenty five percent of the deposited amount shall be assigned to the said Water Users' Association in prescribed manner. Provided further that the amounts assigned to the Distributory Committee and the Project Committee shall be as prescribed by rules made under the Act.

The Managing Committee shall prepare an annual report of the activities of the Water Users Association and place it before the General Body for its approval. A farmers' organisation may for carrying out its objects and functions under this Act, levy and collect such fee as may be decided by the organisation from time to time.

The Water Users Association shall not dispose of, or encumber, any of its movable or immovable assets without the prior approval of the General Body and the prescribed authority. The funds received, raised and collected by the Water Users' Association, shall be utilized for the objects of the Water Users' Association in the prescribed manner.

Any dispute arising among members of a Water Users Association or between the members and the Managing Committee shall be referred to the prescribed authority for decision. Every farmers' organisation shall get its accounts audited by independent auditor/s once in a year in the manner prescribed.

(1) If the Government is of the opinion that the Water Users Association is not functioning in accordance with the provisions of this Act or is failing to discharge its duties, it may, after giving an opportunity to the Association to show cause, dissolve the Association. (2) Upon dissolution, all assets and liabilities of the Association shall vest in the Government. (1) The farmers' organisation shall keep their funds in a Nationalised Bank or a Co-operative Bank. (2) The funds shall be applied towards meeting of the expenses incurred by the Managing Committee of the concerned farmers' organisation in the administration of this Act and for no other purpose.

(1) Any vacancy in the Managing Committee shall be filled in the manner prescribed. (1) The Managing Committee of the farmers' organisation shall maintain a sinking fund for the repayment of moneys borrowed and shall pay every year into the sinking fund such sum as may be sufficient for repayment within the period fixed of all moneys so borrowed. (2) The sinking fund or any part thereof shall be applied in or towards, the discharge of the loan for which such fund was created, and until such loan is wholly discharged it shall not be applied for any other purpose.

[Omitted] The Managing Committee of a farmers' organisation shall prepare in such form in every financial year a budget in respect of the next financial year, showing the estimated receipts and expenditure of the Committee and shall place before the general body of the farmers' organisation for its approval in such manner as may be prescribed.

[Omitted] All the amounts payable or due to a farmers' organisation shall be recoverable as arrears of land revenue.

(1) The Government may, by notification, make rules to carry out the purposes of this Act. (2) In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for: (a) the manner of preparation of budget; (b) the form of accounts and balance sheet; (c) the manner of conduct of meetings; (d) the procedure for audit; (e) the manner of appointment of auditor; (f) the manner of settlement of disputes; (g) the procedure for dissolution of Association; (h) the powers and duties of office bearers; (i) the fees to be charged for various services; (j) the form of annual report; (k) any other matter which is to be or may be prescribed. Whoever without any lawful authority does any of the following acts, that is to say: - (a) damages, alters, enlarges or obstructs any canal; (b) interferes with, increases or diminishes the supply of water in or the flow of water from, through, over or under any canal; (c) interferes with or alters the flow of water in any river or stream, so as to endanger, damage or render less useful any canal; (d) being responsible for the maintenance of water course or using water course neglects to take proper precautions for the prevention of waste of water thereof; or interferes with the unauthorised. Whoever without any lawful authority does any of the following acts, that is to say:-(a) damages, alters, enlarges or obstructs any canal; (b) interferes with, increases or diminishes the supply of water in, or the flow of water from, through, over, or under any canal; (c) interferes with or alters the flow of water in any river or stream, so as to endanger, damage or render less useful any canal; (d) being responsible for the maintenance of water course or using water course neglects to take proper precautions for the prevention of waste of water thereof; or interferes with the authorised distribution of the water therefrom or uses such water in an unauthorised manner; (e) receiving water in his fields for irrigation, neglects to take proper precautions for the prevention of waste of such water; (f) corrupts or fouls the water of any canal so as to render it less fit for the purposes for which it is ordinarily used; (g) being a permanent holder, occupier, cultivator or agricultural labourer, resident in a village in which a proclamation under Section 36 of the Chhattisgarh Irrigation Act, 1931 (No. 3 of 1931) has been made, neglects to carry out the duties allotted to him; (h) destroys, injures, defaces or removes any land mark, level mark, water gauge or other apparatus fixed by the authority of a canal officer; (i) causes animals or vehicles to pass on or across any of the works, banks or channels or any canal after such passage has been prohibited by a canal officer; (j) causes or knowingly and wilfully permits animals to graze or be tethered upon the bank or border of any canal after such grazing or tethering has been prohibited by a canal officer; (k) removes or injures any tree, bush, grass or other vegetation growing on any canal; or (l) eases himself on the banks or in the channel of a canal, shall on complaint made by a farmers' organisation: (i) be punishable in respect of an offences mentioned in clauses (a) to (h), with imprisonment which may extend to two years, or with fine which shall not be less than one thousand Rupees but which may extend to five thousand Rupees or with both; and when the offence is a continuing one with an additional fine not exceeding twenty five Rupees for every day after the first day during which the offence has continued; and (ii) Minimum Penalty - be punishable in respect of offences mentioned in clauses (i) to (l) with fine which shall not be less than Rupees five hundred but which may extend Rupees two thousand and if the same person is subsequently convicted for a like offence he shall be liable for imprisonment which may extend to six months for each such subsequent conviction.

(1) No act or proceeding of the Water Users Association or the Managing Committee shall be invalid by reason only of the existence of any vacancy amongst its members or any defect in the constitution thereof. (2) Acts done in good faith by the association or committee shall be deemed to be valid under this Act. (1) State Government may dissolve a Management Committee of a farmers' organisation if such a Committee is found to be committing or have committed a gross misappropriation of Government funds. (2) The dissolution of Management Committee under sub-section (1) shall be carried out following an investigation and enquiry and after serving a notice to such a Committee and receipt of reply from the Committee to the notice so served; Provided that where the Management Committee fails to reply to the notice served upon it within a reasonable time or as may be prescribed, the dissolution may be carried out without waiting for the receipt of reply from such Committee.

If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the Government may, by order, make such provisions as appear to it to be necessary or expedient for removing the difficulty. Nothing in this Act shall prevent any person from being prosecuted and punished under any other law for the time being in force for any act or omission made punishable by or under this Act: Provided that no person shall be prosecuted and punished for the same offence more than once.

(1) A farmers' organisation may accept from any person who committed or in respect of whom a reasonable belief can be inferred that he has committed an offence punishable under this Act or the rules made there under, a sum of money not less than rupees one thousand in case of offences mentioned in clause (a) to (h) of Section 39 and Rs. Five hundred for the offences mentioned in clause (i) to (l) of Section 39 by way of composition.

(1) Any dispute of difference touching the constitution, management, powers or functions of a farmers' organization arising between members shall be determined by the Managing Committee of the farmers' organisation: Provided that for resolution of such disputes a separate Sub-Committee may be constituted under the rules made under the Act. (2) Any such dispute or difference arising between a member and the Managing Committee of a Water Users' Association or between two or more Water Users' Associations shall be determined by the Managing Committee of the Distributory Committee. (3) Any such dispute or difference arising between a member and the Managing Committee of a Distributory Committee or between two or more Distributory Committees shall be determined by the Managing Committee of the Project Committee. (4) Any such dispute or difference arising between a member and the Managing Committee of a project committee or between two or more project committees shall be determined by the State Level Policy Committee; whose decision shall be final. (5) Every dispute or difference under this section, shall be disposed of within fifteen days from the date of reference of the dispute or difference.

The Government may, by notification, delegate its powers under this Act to any officer or authority. (1) A party to a dispute or difference aggrieved by any decision made or order passed by the Managing Committee of a Water Users' Association may appeal to the Managing Committee of the Distributory Committee, whose decision thereon shall be final. (2) Any party to a dispute or difference aggrieved by any decision made or order passed by the Managing Committee of a Distributory Committee may appeal to the Project Committee, whose decision thereon shall be final. (3) Any party to a dispute or difference aggrieved by any decision made or order passed by the Managing Committee of a Project Committee may appeal to the State Level Policy Committee, whose decision thereon shall be final. (4) Every appeal under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) or sub-section (3) shall be preferred within 15 days of communication of the decision or the order to the person aggrieved. (5) Every appeal under this section shall be disposed of within 15 days from the date of filing of the appeal.

(1) Every farmers' organisation shall keep at its office the following accounts, record and documents, namely:- (a) a map of the area of operation of the farmers' organisation along with map of the structures and distributory networks prepared in consultation with the Water Resources Department; (b) a statement of the assets and liabilities; (c) an activity plan including seasonal irrigation schedules, cropping calendar and decisions related to important aspects of irrigation management and irrigated agriculture; (d) minutes book; (e) books of account showing receipt and payments; (f) books of account of all purchases and sales of goods by the farmers' organisation; (g) register of measurement books, level field books, work orders and the like; (h) copies of audit reports and enquiry reports; (i) all such other accounts, records and documents as may be prescribed from time to time; (j) stock register; (k) list of users with details of land holding; (l) register of penalties; (2) The books of accounts and other records shall be open for information to the members of the farmers' organisation. (1) (k) list of users with details of land holding; (l) register of penalties; (2) The books of accounts and other records shall be open for information to the members of the farmers' organisation.

The meetings of the farmers' organisation and the Managing Committees thereof at such intervals, the procedure, the presidency and the quorum thereof shall be, such as may be prescribed.

(1) A member of the Managing Committee of a farmers' organisation may resign his office by a letter sent by registered post or tendered in person to the President of the managing committee concerned. (2) The President of the Managing Committee of a Water Users' Association may resign his office by a letter sent by registered post or tendered in person to the President of the Distributory Committee concerned. (3) The President of the Managing Committee of a Distributory Committee may resign his office by a letter sent by registered post or tendered in person to the President of the Project Committee concerned. (4) The President of the Managing Committee of a Project Committee may resign his office by a letter sent by registered post or tendered in person to the Managing Committee of such Project Committee. (5) The resignation as above mentioned shall take effect from the date of its acceptance or on the expiry of 30 days from the date of its receipt whichever is earlier.

(1) The State Government may by notification, appoint controlling officers not below the rank of the Secretary to the Government to exercise the general control and superintendence over the competent authorities and the District Collectors in performance of their functions under this Act or rules made thereunder. (2) The powers to be exercised and the functions to be performed by the controlling officers shall be such as may be prescribed.

or officers to exercise the powers and perform the functions of a farmers' organisation and the Managing Committee there of till such time such farmers' organisation is duly constituted or reconstituted and such Managing Committee assumes office under the provisions of this Act.

All permissions, orders, decisions and other documents of the farmers' organisation shall be authenticated by the signature of the President of the farmers' organisation or any other member of the Managing Committee authorised by the Managing Committee in this behalf.

No act or proceedings of the Managing Committee of a farmers' organisation shall be invalid by reason only of the existence of any vacancy in, or defect in the constitution of the said committee.

Protection of Acts done in good faith. (1) No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall be instituted against any person for anything which is in good faith, done or intended to be done under this Act or under the rules made thereunder.

(1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the State Government may, by order, do anything, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, which appears to it to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of removing the difficulty. (2) Every order made under sub-section (1) shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of the State Legislature. (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act or as to the first constitution or reconstitution of any farmers' organisation after the commencement of this Act, the Government, in consultation with the respective farmers' organisation and the higher-level farmers' organisations, and as the occasion may require by order published in the Official Gazette, do anything which appears to them necessary for removing the difficulty. (2) All orders made under sub-section (1) shall as soon as may be laid on the table of the Vidhan Sabha.

(1) Notwithstanding the repeal of the Chhattisgarh Sinchai Prabandhan Mein Krishkon Ki Bhagidari Adhyadesh, 2006, anything done or any action taken (including any appointment or delegation made, notification, instruction or direction issued or any rule, regulation or form framed) under the said Adhyadesh shall be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of this Act. (2) The Farmers' Organisation Constituted under the said Adhyadesh shall continue to function till the expiry of its term under the provisions of this Act. Nothing contained in this Act shall affect the rights or properties vested in a Gram Panchayat, Janpad Panchayat, Zila Panchayat, Nagar Panchayat, Municipal Council or Municipal Corporation under any law for the time being in force.

(1) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules to carry out the purposes of this Act. (2) Every rule made under this Act shall as soon as after it is made be laid before Vidhan Sabha.

(1) The State Government may, by notification, make model bye-laws and regulations for the Farmers Organisation for carrying out all or any of the purposes of this Act. (2) The Farmers Organisation may adopt the model bye-laws and regulations or may make its own bye-laws and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder, with the approval of the competent authority, as the case may be. (1) The State Government shall publish model bye-laws for Water Users' Association including model regulations for guidance and adoption by the Water Users' Association. (2) The Water Users' Association shall adopt the model Bye-laws and regulations with necessary modifications as it deems appropriate subject to the provisions of the Act and not contrary to the essential nature and purpose of the model bye-laws and regulations.

The Chhattisgarh Sinchai Prabandhan Mein Krishkon Ki Bhagidari Adhyadesh, 1999 (No. 29 of 1999) is hereby repealed. Notwithstanding such repeal, anything done or any action taken under the said Act shall be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of this Act. All the Farmers Organisations existing on the date of commencement of this Act shall be deemed to be the Farmers Organisations constituted under this Act and shall continue to function till the expiry of their term according to the bye-laws and regulations made under this Act. The Chhattisgarh Sinchai Prabandhan Me Krishkon Ki Bhagidari Adhiniyam 1999. (No. 23 of 1999) and orders resolution if any, in force immediately before the commencement of this Act, are hereby repealed or rescinded, as the case may be, in respect of matters covered by this Act. Provided that any order made or action taken under the Act so repealed shall be deemed to have been made or taken under the corresponding provisions of this Act.

(1) There shall be a Managing Committee for every Water User Association. (2) The Managing Committee for each Water Users Association would comprise of the elected representatives of the Territorial Constituencies as specified in sub-section (3) of Section 3. (3) The term of the office of the members of the territorial constituencies shall, if not recalled or removed or disqualified under the provisions of the Act, shall be five years from the date of first meeting of the Managing Committee: Provided that the term of office can be extended up to one year by the State Government, under special circumstances. (4) The first meeting of Management Committee shall be held within 30 days after the declaration of election results. (5) The District Collector shall make arrangements for the election of President of the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association by direct election by the method of secret ballot in the manner prescribed. (6) The District Collector shall cause arrangement for the election of a Managing Committee consisting of one member from each of the territorial constituencies of a Water Users area by a simplified election procedure in the manner prescribed: Provided that a person eligible to become an elected representative of more than one territorial constituency of a Water Users' Association shall be entitled to be such a representative of only one territorial constituency, at his option and he/she shall exercise such option before filing his/her nomination for the election; Provided further that no person can be a member of a Managing Committee of more than one Water Users' Association. (7) If at an election, the President or the members of the territorial constituencies of Water Users' Association are not elected fresh election shall be held within a period of 90 days from the date of failure in the same manner as specified in sub-section (5) or (6), as the case may be. (8) The State Government may nominate an officer at an appropriate level from the Water Resources Department without having the right to vote, to be the Secretary of the managing committee of the Water Users' Association. (9) The Managing Committee shall elect one Treasurer from among the members of the Managing Committee to assist the President and the Treasurer shall function as directed by the Managing Committee. (10) For the purposes of equitable distribution of water, adequate representation shall be given in the Managing Committee to the water users from the Head, Middle and Tail reaches of the area of operation of the Water Users' Association as may be prescribed; (11) Seats shall be reserved in every Management Committee of Water Users' Association for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes and the number of seats so reserved shall bear as nearly as may be the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in that Water Users' Association as the number of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes of the water users in that water users area bears to the total number of water users of that area and such seats shall be allotted by the prescribed authority to different Territorial Constituency in that Water Users Association, in the prescribed manner. Provided that such reservation of seats shall not exceed fifty percent of the total members of the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association. (12) The Territorial Constituency which have no population of Scheduled Castes, Schedules Tribes or other Backward Classes of water users shall be excluded for allotment of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or other Backward Classes as the case maybe. (13) One third of total number of seats reserved under subsection (11) and unreserved seats shall be reserved for women candidates and the reservation shall be horizontal and compartment-wise. Explanation: "Horizontal and compartment-wise reservation" means reservations in each category namely; Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other Backward Classes and General. (14) Seats reserved for women may be allotted by the prescribed authority by drawing of lots and by rotation to different Territorial Constituency in a Water Users' Association in the prescribed manner. (15) There shall be nomination of one member from the Gram Panchayat, from among the Gram Panchayat(s) within the water users' area, to the Managing Committee and such member shall not have the right to vote. Provided that such nomination would be decided by the Managing Committee in concurrence with the Gram Panchayat(s) in the water users' area and in the prescribed manner. (16) The President of the Managing Committee of water users association shall, if not recalled or removed or disqualified by the provisions of the Act, be in office for a period of five years from the date of election or his tenure as member of territorial constituency, whichever is earlier. (17) The Managing Committee shall exercise the [text ends mid-sentence in source] (11) The number of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes in the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association shall bear as nearly as may be the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled in that Managing Committee as the number of water users area bears to the total number of water users of that area and such seats shall be allotted by the prescribed authority to different Territorial Constituency in that Water Users Association, in the prescribed manner. Provided that such reservation of seats shall not exceed fifty percent of the total members of the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association. (12) The Territorial Constituency which have no population of Scheduled Castes, Schedules Tribes or other Backward Classes of water users shall be excluded for allotment of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or other Backward Classes as the case maybe. (13) One third of total number of seats reserved under subsection (11) and unreserved seats shall be reserved for women candidates and the reservation shall be horizontal and compartment-wise. Explanation: "Horizontal and compartment-wise reservation" means reservations in each category namely; Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other Backward Classes and General. (14) Seats reserved for women may be allotted by the prescribed authority by drawing of lots and by rotation to different Territorial Constituency in a Water Users' Association in the prescribed manner. (15) There shall be nomination of one member from the Gram Panchayat, from among the Gram Panchayat(s) within the water users' area, to the Managing Committee and such member shall not have the right to vote. Provided that such nomination would be decided by the Managing Committee in concurrence with the Gram Panchayat(s) in the water users' area and in the prescribed manner. (16) The President of the Managing Committee of water users association shall, if not recalled or removed or disqualified by the provisions of the Act, be in office for a period of five years from the date of election or his tenure as member of territorial constituency, whichever is earlier. (17) The Managing Committee shall exercise the powers and perform the functions of the Water Users' Association.

(1) There shall be a Managing Committee for every Water User Association. (2) The Managing Committee for each Water Users Association would comprise of the elected representatives of the Territorial Constituencies as specified in sub-section (3) of Section 3. (3) The term of the office of the members of the territorial constituencies shall, if not recalled or removed or disqualified under the provisions of the Act, shall be five years from the date of first meeting of the Managing Committee: Provided that the term of office can be extended up to one year by the State Government, under special circumstances. (4) The first meeting of Management Committee shall be held within 30 days after the declaration of election results. (5) The District Collector shall make arrangements for the election of President of the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association by direct election by the method of secret ballot in the manner prescribed. (6) The District Collector shall cause arrangement for the election of a Managing Committee consisting of one member from each of the territorial constituencies of a Water Users area by a simplified election procedure in the manner prescribed: Provided that a person eligible to become an elected representative of more than one territorial constituency of a Water Users' Association shall be entitled to be such a representative of only one territorial constituency, at his option and he/she shall exercise such option before filing his/her nomination for the election; Provided further that no person can be a member of a Managing Committee of more than one Water Users' Association. (7) If at an election, the President or the members of the territorial constituencies of Water Users' Association are not elected fresh election shall be held within a period of 90 days from the date of failure in the same manner as specified in sub-section (5) or (6), as the case may be. (8) The State Government may nominate an officer at an appropriate level from the Water Resources Department without having the right to vote, to be the Secretary of the managing committee of the Water Users' Association. (9) The Managing Committee shall elect one Treasurer from among the members of the Managing Committee to assist the President and the Treasurer shall function as directed by the Managing Committee. (10) For the purposes of equitable distribution of water, adequate representation shall be given in the Managing Committee to the water users from the Head, Middle and Tail reaches of the area of operation of the Water Users' Association as may be prescribed; (11) Seats shall be reserved in every Management Committee of Water Users' Association for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes and the number of seats so reserved shall bear as nearly as may be the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in that Water Users' Association as the number of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes of the water users in that water users area bears to the total number of water users of that area and such seats shall be allotted by the prescribed authority to different Territorial Constituency in that Water Users Association, in the prescribed manner. Provided that such reservation of seats shall not exceed fifty percent of the total members of the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association. (12) The Territorial Constituency which have no population of Scheduled Castes, Schedules Tribes or other Backward Classes of water users shall be excluded for allotment of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or other Backward Classes as the case maybe. (13) One third of total number of seats reserved under subsection (11) and unreserved seats shall be reserved for women candidates and the reservation shall be horizontal and compartment-wise. Explanation: "Horizontal and compartment-wise reservation" means reservations in each category namely; Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other Backward Classes and General. (14) Seats reserved for women may be allotted by the prescribed authority by drawing of lots and by rotation to different Territorial Constituency in a Water Users' Association in the prescribed manner. (15) There shall be nomination of one member from the Gram Panchayat, from among the Gram Panchayat(s) within the water users' area, to the Managing Committee and such member shall not have the right to vote. Provided that such nomination would be decided by the Managing Committee in concurrence with the Gram Panchayat(s) in the water users' area and in the prescribed manner. (16) The President of the Managing Committee of water users association shall, if not recalled or removed or disqualified by the provisions of the Act, be in office for a period of five years from the date of election or his tenure as member of territorial constituency, whichever is earlier. (17) The Managing Committee shall exercise the [text ends mid-sentence in source] (11) The number of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes in the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association shall bear as nearly as may be the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled in that Managing Committee as the number of water users area bears to the total number of water users of that area and such seats shall be allotted by the prescribed authority to different Territorial Constituency in that Water Users Association, in the prescribed manner. Provided that such reservation of seats shall not exceed fifty percent of the total members of the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association. (12) The Territorial Constituency which have no population of Scheduled Castes, Schedules Tribes or other Backward Classes of water users shall be excluded for allotment of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or other Backward Classes as the case maybe. (13) One third of total number of seats reserved under subsection (11) and unreserved seats shall be reserved for women candidates and the reservation shall be horizontal and compartment-wise. Explanation: "Horizontal and compartment-wise reservation" means reservations in each category namely; Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other Backward Classes and General. (14) Seats reserved for women may be allotted by the prescribed authority by drawing of lots and by rotation to different Territorial Constituency in a Water Users' Association in the prescribed manner. (15) There shall be nomination of one member from the Gram Panchayat, from among the Gram Panchayat(s) within the water users' area, to the Managing Committee and such member shall not have the right to vote. Provided that such nomination would be decided by the Managing Committee in concurrence with the Gram Panchayat(s) in the water users' area and in the prescribed manner. (16) The President of the Managing Committee of water users association shall, if not recalled or removed or disqualified by the provisions of the Act, be in office for a period of five years from the date of election or his tenure as member of territorial constituency, whichever is earlier. (17) The Managing Committee shall exercise the powers and perform the functions of the Water Users' Association.

(1) There shall be a Managing Committee for every Water User Association. (2) The Managing Committee for each Water Users Association would comprise of the elected representatives of the Territorial Constituencies as specified in sub-section (3) of Section 3. (3) The term of the office of the members of the territorial constituencies shall, if not recalled or removed or disqualified under the provisions of the Act, shall be five years from the date of first meeting of the Managing Committee: Provided that the term of office can be extended up to one year by the State Government, under special circumstances. (4) The first meeting of Management Committee shall be held within 30 days after the declaration of election results. (5) The District Collector shall make arrangements for the election of President of the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association by direct election by the method of secret ballot in the manner prescribed. (6) The District Collector shall cause arrangement for the election of a Managing Committee consisting of one member from each of the territorial constituencies of a Water Users area by a simplified election procedure in the manner prescribed: Provided that a person eligible to become an elected representative of more than one territorial constituency of a Water Users' Association shall be entitled to be such a representative of only one territorial constituency, at his option and he/she shall exercise such option before filing his/her nomination for the election; Provided further that no person can be a member of a Managing Committee of more than one Water Users' Association. (7) If at an election, the President or the members of the territorial constituencies of Water Users' Association are not elected fresh election shall be held within a period of 90 days from the date of failure in the same manner as specified in sub-section (5) or (6), as the case may be. (8) The State Government may nominate an officer at an appropriate level from the Water Resources Department without having the right to vote, to be the Secretary of the managing committee of the Water Users' Association. (9) The Managing Committee shall elect one Treasurer from among the members of the Managing Committee to assist the President and the Treasurer shall function as directed by the Managing Committee. (10) For the purposes of equitable distribution of water, adequate representation shall be given in the Managing Committee to the water users from the Head, Middle and Tail reaches of the area of operation of the Water Users' Association as may be prescribed; (11) Seats shall be reserved in every Management Committee of Water Users' Association for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes and the number of seats so reserved shall bear as nearly as may be the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in that Water Users' Association as the number of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes of the water users in that water users area bears to the total number of water users of that area and such seats shall be allotted by the prescribed authority to different Territorial Constituency in that Water Users Association, in the prescribed manner. Provided that such reservation of seats shall not exceed fifty percent of the total members of the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association. (12) The Territorial Constituency which have no population of Scheduled Castes, Schedules Tribes or other Backward Classes of water users shall be excluded for allotment of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or other Backward Classes as the case maybe. (13) One third of total number of seats reserved under subsection (11) and unreserved seats shall be reserved for women candidates and the reservation shall be horizontal and compartment-wise. Explanation: "Horizontal and compartment-wise reservation" means reservations in each category namely; Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other Backward Classes and General. (14) Seats reserved for women may be allotted by the prescribed authority by drawing of lots and by rotation to different Territorial Constituency in a Water Users' Association in the prescribed manner. (15) There shall be nomination of one member from the Gram Panchayat, from among the Gram Panchayat(s) within the water users' area, to the Managing Committee and such member shall not have the right to vote. Provided that such nomination would be decided by the Managing Committee in concurrence with the Gram Panchayat(s) in the water users' area and in the prescribed manner. (16) The President of the Managing Committee of water users association shall, if not recalled or removed or disqualified by the provisions of the Act, be in office for a period of five years from the date of election or his tenure as member of territorial constituency, whichever is earlier. (17) The Managing Committee shall exercise the [text ends mid-sentence in source] (11) The number of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes in the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association shall bear as nearly as may be the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled in that Managing Committee as the number of water users area bears to the total number of water users of that area and such seats shall be allotted by the prescribed authority to different Territorial Constituency in that Water Users Association, in the prescribed manner. Provided that such reservation of seats shall not exceed fifty percent of the total members of the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association. (12) The Territorial Constituency which have no population of Scheduled Castes, Schedules Tribes or other Backward Classes of water users shall be excluded for allotment of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or other Backward Classes as the case maybe. (13) One third of total number of seats reserved under subsection (11) and unreserved seats shall be reserved for women candidates and the reservation shall be horizontal and compartment-wise. Explanation: "Horizontal and compartment-wise reservation" means reservations in each category namely; Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other Backward Classes and General. (14) Seats reserved for women may be allotted by the prescribed authority by drawing of lots and by rotation to different Territorial Constituency in a Water Users' Association in the prescribed manner. (15) There shall be nomination of one member from the Gram Panchayat, from among the Gram Panchayat(s) within the water users' area, to the Managing Committee and such member shall not have the right to vote. Provided that such nomination would be decided by the Managing Committee in concurrence with the Gram Panchayat(s) in the water users' area and in the prescribed manner. (16) The President of the Managing Committee of water users association shall, if not recalled or removed or disqualified by the provisions of the Act, be in office for a period of five years from the date of election or his tenure as member of territorial constituency, whichever is earlier. (17) The Managing Committee shall exercise the powers and perform the functions of the Water Users' Association.

(1) There shall be a Managing Committee for every Water User Association. (2) The Managing Committee for each Water Users Association would comprise of the elected representatives of the Territorial Constituencies as specified in sub-section (3) of Section 3. (3) The term of the office of the members of the territorial constituencies shall, if not recalled or removed or disqualified under the provisions of the Act, shall be five years from the date of first meeting of the Managing Committee: Provided that the term of office can be extended up to one year by the State Government, under special circumstances. (4) The first meeting of Management Committee shall be held within 30 days after the declaration of election results. (5) The District Collector shall make arrangements for the election of President of the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association by direct election by the method of secret ballot in the manner prescribed. (6) The District Collector shall cause arrangement for the election of a Managing Committee consisting of one member from each of the territorial constituencies of a Water Users area by a simplified election procedure in the manner prescribed: Provided that a person eligible to become an elected representative of more than one territorial constituency of a Water Users' Association shall be entitled to be such a representative of only one territorial constituency, at his option and he/she shall exercise such option before filing his/her nomination for the election; Provided further that no person can be a member of a Managing Committee of more than one Water Users' Association. (7) If at an election, the President or the members of the territorial constituencies of Water Users' Association are not elected fresh election shall be held within a period of 90 days from the date of failure in the same manner as specified in sub-section (5) or (6), as the case may be. (8) The State Government may nominate an officer at an appropriate level from the Water Resources Department without having the right to vote, to be the Secretary of the managing committee of the Water Users' Association. (9) The Managing Committee shall elect one Treasurer from among the members of the Managing Committee to assist the President and the Treasurer shall function as directed by the Managing Committee. (10) For the purposes of equitable distribution of water, adequate representation shall be given in the Managing Committee to the water users from the Head, Middle and Tail reaches of the area of operation of the Water Users' Association as may be prescribed; (11) Seats shall be reserved in every Management Committee of Water Users' Association for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes and the number of seats so reserved shall bear as nearly as may be the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in that Water Users' Association as the number of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes of the water users in that water users area bears to the total number of water users of that area and such seats shall be allotted by the prescribed authority to different Territorial Constituency in that Water Users Association, in the prescribed manner. Provided that such reservation of seats shall not exceed fifty percent of the total members of the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association. (12) The Territorial Constituency which have no population of Scheduled Castes, Schedules Tribes or other Backward Classes of water users shall be excluded for allotment of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or other Backward Classes as the case maybe. (13) One third of total number of seats reserved under subsection (11) and unreserved seats shall be reserved for women candidates and the reservation shall be horizontal and compartment-wise. Explanation: "Horizontal and compartment-wise reservation" means reservations in each category namely; Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other Backward Classes and General. (14) Seats reserved for women may be allotted by the prescribed authority by drawing of lots and by rotation to different Territorial Constituency in a Water Users' Association in the prescribed manner. (15) There shall be nomination of one member from the Gram Panchayat, from among the Gram Panchayat(s) within the water users' area, to the Managing Committee and such member shall not have the right to vote. Provided that such nomination would be decided by the Managing Committee in concurrence with the Gram Panchayat(s) in the water users' area and in the prescribed manner. (16) The President of the Managing Committee of water users association shall, if not recalled or removed or disqualified by the provisions of the Act, be in office for a period of five years from the date of election or his tenure as member of territorial constituency, whichever is earlier. (17) The Managing Committee shall exercise the [text ends mid-sentence in source] (11) The number of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes in the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association shall bear as nearly as may be the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled in that Managing Committee as the number of water users area bears to the total number of water users of that area and such seats shall be allotted by the prescribed authority to different Territorial Constituency in that Water Users Association, in the prescribed manner. Provided that such reservation of seats shall not exceed fifty percent of the total members of the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association. (12) The Territorial Constituency which have no population of Scheduled Castes, Schedules Tribes or other Backward Classes of water users shall be excluded for allotment of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or other Backward Classes as the case maybe. (13) One third of total number of seats reserved under subsection (11) and unreserved seats shall be reserved for women candidates and the reservation shall be horizontal and compartment-wise. Explanation: "Horizontal and compartment-wise reservation" means reservations in each category namely; Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other Backward Classes and General. (14) Seats reserved for women may be allotted by the prescribed authority by drawing of lots and by rotation to different Territorial Constituency in a Water Users' Association in the prescribed manner. (15) There shall be nomination of one member from the Gram Panchayat, from among the Gram Panchayat(s) within the water users' area, to the Managing Committee and such member shall not have the right to vote. Provided that such nomination would be decided by the Managing Committee in concurrence with the Gram Panchayat(s) in the water users' area and in the prescribed manner. (16) The President of the Managing Committee of water users association shall, if not recalled or removed or disqualified by the provisions of the Act, be in office for a period of five years from the date of election or his tenure as member of territorial constituency, whichever is earlier. (17) The Managing Committee shall exercise the powers and perform the functions of the Water Users' Association.

(1) There shall be a Managing Committee for every Water User Association. (2) The Managing Committee for each Water Users Association would comprise of the elected representatives of the Territorial Constituencies as specified in sub-section (3) of Section 3. (3) The term of the office of the members of the territorial constituencies shall, if not recalled or removed or disqualified under the provisions of the Act, shall be five years from the date of first meeting of the Managing Committee: Provided that the term of office can be extended up to one year by the State Government, under special circumstances. (4) The first meeting of Management Committee shall be held within 30 days after the declaration of election results. (5) The District Collector shall make arrangements for the election of President of the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association by direct election by the method of secret ballot in the manner prescribed. (6) The District Collector shall cause arrangement for the election of a Managing Committee consisting of one member from each of the territorial constituencies of a Water Users area by a simplified election procedure in the manner prescribed: Provided that a person eligible to become an elected representative of more than one territorial constituency of a Water Users' Association shall be entitled to be such a representative of only one territorial constituency, at his option and he/she shall exercise such option before filing his/her nomination for the election; Provided further that no person can be a member of a Managing Committee of more than one Water Users' Association. (7) If at an election, the President or the members of the territorial constituencies of Water Users' Association are not elected fresh election shall be held within a period of 90 days from the date of failure in the same manner as specified in sub-section (5) or (6), as the case may be. (8) The State Government may nominate an officer at an appropriate level from the Water Resources Department without having the right to vote, to be the Secretary of the managing committee of the Water Users' Association. (9) The Managing Committee shall elect one Treasurer from among the members of the Managing Committee to assist the President and the Treasurer shall function as directed by the Managing Committee. (10) For the purposes of equitable distribution of water, adequate representation shall be given in the Managing Committee to the water users from the Head, Middle and Tail reaches of the area of operation of the Water Users' Association as may be prescribed; (11) Seats shall be reserved in every Management Committee of Water Users' Association for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes and the number of seats so reserved shall bear as nearly as may be the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in that Water Users' Association as the number of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes of the water users in that water users area bears to the total number of water users of that area and such seats shall be allotted by the prescribed authority to different Territorial Constituency in that Water Users Association, in the prescribed manner. Provided that such reservation of seats shall not exceed fifty percent of the total members of the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association. (12) The Territorial Constituency which have no population of Scheduled Castes, Schedules Tribes or other Backward Classes of water users shall be excluded for allotment of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or other Backward Classes as the case maybe. (13) One third of total number of seats reserved under subsection (11) and unreserved seats shall be reserved for women candidates and the reservation shall be horizontal and compartment-wise. Explanation: "Horizontal and compartment-wise reservation" means reservations in each category namely; Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other Backward Classes and General. (14) Seats reserved for women may be allotted by the prescribed authority by drawing of lots and by rotation to different Territorial Constituency in a Water Users' Association in the prescribed manner. (15) There shall be nomination of one member from the Gram Panchayat, from among the Gram Panchayat(s) within the water users' area, to the Managing Committee and such member shall not have the right to vote. Provided that such nomination would be decided by the Managing Committee in concurrence with the Gram Panchayat(s) in the water users' area and in the prescribed manner. (16) The President of the Managing Committee of water users association shall, if not recalled or removed or disqualified by the provisions of the Act, be in office for a period of five years from the date of election or his tenure as member of territorial constituency, whichever is earlier. (17) The Managing Committee shall exercise the [text ends mid-sentence in source] (11) The number of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes in the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association shall bear as nearly as may be the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled in that Managing Committee as the number of water users area bears to the total number of water users of that area and such seats shall be allotted by the prescribed authority to different Territorial Constituency in that Water Users Association, in the prescribed manner. Provided that such reservation of seats shall not exceed fifty percent of the total members of the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association. (12) The Territorial Constituency which have no population of Scheduled Castes, Schedules Tribes or other Backward Classes of water users shall be excluded for allotment of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or other Backward Classes as the case maybe. (13) One third of total number of seats reserved under subsection (11) and unreserved seats shall be reserved for women candidates and the reservation shall be horizontal and compartment-wise. Explanation: "Horizontal and compartment-wise reservation" means reservations in each category namely; Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other Backward Classes and General. (14) Seats reserved for women may be allotted by the prescribed authority by drawing of lots and by rotation to different Territorial Constituency in a Water Users' Association in the prescribed manner. (15) There shall be nomination of one member from the Gram Panchayat, from among the Gram Panchayat(s) within the water users' area, to the Managing Committee and such member shall not have the right to vote. Provided that such nomination would be decided by the Managing Committee in concurrence with the Gram Panchayat(s) in the water users' area and in the prescribed manner. (16) The President of the Managing Committee of water users association shall, if not recalled or removed or disqualified by the provisions of the Act, be in office for a period of five years from the date of election or his tenure as member of territorial constituency, whichever is earlier. (17) The Managing Committee shall exercise the powers and perform the functions of the Water Users' Association.

(1) There shall be a Managing Committee for every Water User Association. (2) The Managing Committee for each Water Users Association would comprise of the elected representatives of the Territorial Constituencies as specified in sub-section (3) of Section 3. (3) The term of the office of the members of the territorial constituencies shall, if not recalled or removed or disqualified under the provisions of the Act, shall be five years from the date of first meeting of the Managing Committee: Provided that the term of office can be extended up to one year by the State Government, under special circumstances. (4) The first meeting of Management Committee shall be held within 30 days after the declaration of election results. (5) The District Collector shall make arrangements for the election of President of the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association by direct election by the method of secret ballot in the manner prescribed. (6) The District Collector shall cause arrangement for the election of a Managing Committee consisting of one member from each of the territorial constituencies of a Water Users area by a simplified election procedure in the manner prescribed: Provided that a person eligible to become an elected representative of more than one territorial constituency of a Water Users' Association shall be entitled to be such a representative of only one territorial constituency, at his option and he/she shall exercise such option before filing his/her nomination for the election; Provided further that no person can be a member of a Managing Committee of more than one Water Users' Association. (7) If at an election, the President or the members of the territorial constituencies of Water Users' Association are not elected fresh election shall be held within a period of 90 days from the date of failure in the same manner as specified in sub-section (5) or (6), as the case may be. (8) The State Government may nominate an officer at an appropriate level from the Water Resources Department without having the right to vote, to be the Secretary of the managing committee of the Water Users' Association. (9) The Managing Committee shall elect one Treasurer from among the members of the Managing Committee to assist the President and the Treasurer shall function as directed by the Managing Committee. (10) For the purposes of equitable distribution of water, adequate representation shall be given in the Managing Committee to the water users from the Head, Middle and Tail reaches of the area of operation of the Water Users' Association as may be prescribed; (11) Seats shall be reserved in every Management Committee of Water Users' Association for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes and the number of seats so reserved shall bear as nearly as may be the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in that Water Users' Association as the number of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes of the water users in that water users area bears to the total number of water users of that area and such seats shall be allotted by the prescribed authority to different Territorial Constituency in that Water Users Association, in the prescribed manner. Provided that such reservation of seats shall not exceed fifty percent of the total members of the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association. (12) The Territorial Constituency which have no population of Scheduled Castes, Schedules Tribes or other Backward Classes of water users shall be excluded for allotment of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or other Backward Classes as the case maybe. (13) One third of total number of seats reserved under subsection (11) and unreserved seats shall be reserved for women candidates and the reservation shall be horizontal and compartment-wise. Explanation: "Horizontal and compartment-wise reservation" means reservations in each category namely; Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other Backward Classes and General. (14) Seats reserved for women may be allotted by the prescribed authority by drawing of lots and by rotation to different Territorial Constituency in a Water Users' Association in the prescribed manner. (15) There shall be nomination of one member from the Gram Panchayat, from among the Gram Panchayat(s) within the water users' area, to the Managing Committee and such member shall not have the right to vote. Provided that such nomination would be decided by the Managing Committee in concurrence with the Gram Panchayat(s) in the water users' area and in the prescribed manner. (16) The President of the Managing Committee of water users association shall, if not recalled or removed or disqualified by the provisions of the Act, be in office for a period of five years from the date of election or his tenure as member of territorial constituency, whichever is earlier. (17) The Managing Committee shall exercise the [text ends mid-sentence in source] (11) The number of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes in the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association shall bear as nearly as may be the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled in that Managing Committee as the number of water users area bears to the total number of water users of that area and such seats shall be allotted by the prescribed authority to different Territorial Constituency in that Water Users Association, in the prescribed manner. Provided that such reservation of seats shall not exceed fifty percent of the total members of the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association. (12) The Territorial Constituency which have no population of Scheduled Castes, Schedules Tribes or other Backward Classes of water users shall be excluded for allotment of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or other Backward Classes as the case maybe. (13) One third of total number of seats reserved under subsection (11) and unreserved seats shall be reserved for women candidates and the reservation shall be horizontal and compartment-wise. Explanation: "Horizontal and compartment-wise reservation" means reservations in each category namely; Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other Backward Classes and General. (14) Seats reserved for women may be allotted by the prescribed authority by drawing of lots and by rotation to different Territorial Constituency in a Water Users' Association in the prescribed manner. (15) There shall be nomination of one member from the Gram Panchayat, from among the Gram Panchayat(s) within the water users' area, to the Managing Committee and such member shall not have the right to vote. Provided that such nomination would be decided by the Managing Committee in concurrence with the Gram Panchayat(s) in the water users' area and in the prescribed manner. (16) The President of the Managing Committee of water users association shall, if not recalled or removed or disqualified by the provisions of the Act, be in office for a period of five years from the date of election or his tenure as member of territorial constituency, whichever is earlier. (17) The Managing Committee shall exercise the powers and perform the functions of the Water Users' Association.

(1) There shall be a Managing Committee for every Water User Association. (2) The Managing Committee for each Water Users Association would comprise of the elected representatives of the Territorial Constituencies as specified in sub-section (3) of Section 3. (3) The term of the office of the members of the territorial constituencies shall, if not recalled or removed or disqualified under the provisions of the Act, shall be five years from the date of first meeting of the Managing Committee: Provided that the term of office can be extended up to one year by the State Government, under special circumstances. (4) The first meeting of Management Committee shall be held within 30 days after the declaration of election results. (5) The District Collector shall make arrangements for the election of President of the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association by direct election by the method of secret ballot in the manner prescribed. (6) The District Collector shall cause arrangement for the election of a Managing Committee consisting of one member from each of the territorial constituencies of a Water Users area by a simplified election procedure in the manner prescribed: Provided that a person eligible to become an elected representative of more than one territorial constituency of a Water Users' Association shall be entitled to be such a representative of only one territorial constituency, at his option and he/she shall exercise such option before filing his/her nomination for the election; Provided further that no person can be a member of a Managing Committee of more than one Water Users' Association. (7) If at an election, the President or the members of the territorial constituencies of Water Users' Association are not elected fresh election shall be held within a period of 90 days from the date of failure in the same manner as specified in sub-section (5) or (6), as the case may be. (8) The State Government may nominate an officer at an appropriate level from the Water Resources Department without having the right to vote, to be the Secretary of the managing committee of the Water Users' Association. (9) The Managing Committee shall elect one Treasurer from among the members of the Managing Committee to assist the President and the Treasurer shall function as directed by the Managing Committee. (10) For the purposes of equitable distribution of water, adequate representation shall be given in the Managing Committee to the water users from the Head, Middle and Tail reaches of the area of operation of the Water Users' Association as may be prescribed; (11) Seats shall be reserved in every Management Committee of Water Users' Association for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes and the number of seats so reserved shall bear as nearly as may be the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in that Water Users' Association as the number of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes of the water users in that water users area bears to the total number of water users of that area and such seats shall be allotted by the prescribed authority to different Territorial Constituency in that Water Users Association, in the prescribed manner. Provided that such reservation of seats shall not exceed fifty percent of the total members of the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association. (12) The Territorial Constituency which have no population of Scheduled Castes, Schedules Tribes or other Backward Classes of water users shall be excluded for allotment of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or other Backward Classes as the case maybe. (13) One third of total number of seats reserved under subsection (11) and unreserved seats shall be reserved for women candidates and the reservation shall be horizontal and compartment-wise. Explanation: "Horizontal and compartment-wise reservation" means reservations in each category namely; Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other Backward Classes and General. (14) Seats reserved for women may be allotted by the prescribed authority by drawing of lots and by rotation to different Territorial Constituency in a Water Users' Association in the prescribed manner. (15) There shall be nomination of one member from the Gram Panchayat, from among the Gram Panchayat(s) within the water users' area, to the Managing Committee and such member shall not have the right to vote. Provided that such nomination would be decided by the Managing Committee in concurrence with the Gram Panchayat(s) in the water users' area and in the prescribed manner. (16) The President of the Managing Committee of water users association shall, if not recalled or removed or disqualified by the provisions of the Act, be in office for a period of five years from the date of election or his tenure as member of territorial constituency, whichever is earlier. (17) The Managing Committee shall exercise the [text ends mid-sentence in source] (11) The number of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes in the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association shall bear as nearly as may be the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled in that Managing Committee as the number of water users area bears to the total number of water users of that area and such seats shall be allotted by the prescribed authority to different Territorial Constituency in that Water Users Association, in the prescribed manner. Provided that such reservation of seats shall not exceed fifty percent of the total members of the Managing Committee of the Water Users' Association. (12) The Territorial Constituency which have no population of Scheduled Castes, Schedules Tribes or other Backward Classes of water users shall be excluded for allotment of seats reserved for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes or other Backward Classes as the case maybe. (13) One third of total number of seats reserved under subsection (11) and unreserved seats shall be reserved for women candidates and the reservation shall be horizontal and compartment-wise. Explanation: "Horizontal and compartment-wise reservation" means reservations in each category namely; Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, other Backward Classes and General. (14) Seats reserved for women may be allotted by the prescribed authority by drawing of lots and by rotation to different Territorial Constituency in a Water Users' Association in the prescribed manner. (15) There shall be nomination of one member from the Gram Panchayat, from among the Gram Panchayat(s) within the water users' area, to the Managing Committee and such member shall not have the right to vote. Provided that such nomination would be decided by the Managing Committee in concurrence with the Gram Panchayat(s) in the water users' area and in the prescribed manner. (16) The President of the Managing Committee of water users association shall, if not recalled or removed or disqualified by the provisions of the Act, be in office for a period of five years from the date of election or his tenure as member of territorial constituency, whichever is earlier. (17) The Managing Committee shall exercise the powers and perform the functions of the Water Users' Association.