Power to prescribe the kind of crop to be grown under the irrigation area and the period of sowing such crop

(1) Whenever the Government is satisfied that for the better cultivation of the lands and the due preservation of the water-resources of a canal, it is expedient and desirable in the public interest to regulate the kind of crop that should be grown on lands irrigated by such canal and the period of sowing such kind of crop, it may, by notification, make a declaration to that effect. (2) On making of a declaration under sub-section (1), the Canal-Officer, with the approval of the Collector, may specify by notification in such manner as may be prescribed the kinds of crop that shall be grown on any land under such canal and the period of sowing and planting such crops. (3) On the publication of a notification under sub-section (2) no person shall grow or allow any crop other than the crops specified in such notification to be grown on any land under such canal and no person shall sow or plant or allow the sowing or planting of crop at any time other than during the period specified in such notification. (4) In all cases in which the person who has sown or grown any unauthorised crop or allowed any land to be grown or sown with such unauthorised crop cannot be found, the holder of the land in addition to such other person concerned, shall— (a) be liable for contravening the provisions of this section; and (b) also be liable to pay such water rate as may be determined by the Canal-Officer not being less than five times and not exceeding ten times the water rate which he would otherwise have been required to pay: Provided that if no water is utilised either directly or indirectly from the canal for growing any crop, the provisions of sub-sections (3) and (4) shall not be applicable. The Canal-Officer may give water for the purpose of forming thrashing floors free to any person to whom a supply of water for irrigation has, been sanctioned under these rules and to any other person at a charge per floor not exceeding half the lowest rate of 0.40 hectares.