Vidhi Codex

The Karnataka Irrigation Act, 1965

The Karnataka Irrigation Act, 1965

Infrastructure196570 sections8 chapters

This Act governs the management and regulation of water supply and drainage systems across the entire state of Karnataka. It establishes rules for constructing, maintaining, and controlling irrigation works like reservoirs, canals, and flood embankments, as well as drainage channels. The law empowers the state government to appoint specific officers to oversee these projects and manage land usage. By providing a legal framework for water distribution and land protection, it ensures efficient water use, prevents flooding, and supports agricultural productivity for landholders and occupants throughout the region.

Start reading →Read full ActSections

Chapter I PRELIMINARY →

  1. 2Definitions.
  2. 3Appointment of officers.

Chapter II CONSTRUCTION, CONTROL AND MAINTENANCE OF IRRIGATION WORKS →

  1. 4Constructon, control and maintenance of irrigation works only with consent of Government and subject to conditions
  2. 5Notification to issue when water supply is to be applied for purposes of irrigation works.
  3. 6Entry for inquiry
  4. 7Power to inspect and regulate supply.
  5. 8Power to enter for repairs and to prevent accidents.
  6. 9Notice to occupier.
  7. 10Means of crossing canals to be provided and obstruction to drainage to be avoided
  8. 11Government may prohibit obstructions of rivers, etc., within certain limits.
  9. 12Irrigation Officer may issue order to person causing obstruction
  10. 13Irrigation Officer may cause obstruction to be removed
  11. 14Construction of drainage works.
  12. 15Determination of the need for field-channels and their alignment in any area.
  13. 16Deputy Commissioner to acquire land
  14. 17Such acquired land to remain as property of Government.
  15. 20Obligations of user of the field-channel
  16. 24If user fails to execute work or to repair field-channel Irrigation Officer may execute the same
  17. 26Construction of field channel in lands acquired.

Chapter IV REGULATION OF IRRIGATION →

  1. 27Regulation of water supply from irrigation works.
  2. 27ARestriction on alienation of certain lands
  3. 28Application for permission to use water from an irrigation work
  4. 29Stoppage of water supply
  5. 30Supply of water for irrigation of one or more crops
  6. 31Regulation of cultivation on lands.
  7. 32Power to prescribe the kind of crop to be grown under the irrigation area and the period of sowing such crop
  8. 33Compensation for damage caused consequent on the exercise of powers conferred by this Act.
  9. 34Limitation of claims.
  10. 35Compensation for damage caused by entry on land, etc.
  11. 36Claims to be preferred to the Deputy Commissioner.
  12. 37Appeal.
  13. 38Compensation when due and interest payable.

Chapter VI OF OBTAINING LABOUR IN EMERGENCIES →

  1. 40Requisition of labour for urgent works or repairs etc.
  2. 41Payment to persons requisitioned.
  3. 42Appeals against order under sectiion 41.

Chapter VII MAINTENANCE OF IRRIGATION WORKS →

  1. 43Power to take over irrigation works for maintenance by Government.
  2. 44Levy of maintenance cess.
  3. 45Payment to Tungabhadra Board, etc.

Chapter VIII SAFEGUARD OF IRRIGATION WORKS →

  1. 46Limitation in respect of irrigation works.
  2. 47Interference with the functioning of cross drainage works.
  3. 48Obligations of owners in respect of works affecting safety of canals.
  4. 49Mining or quarrying near irrigation works.
  5. 50Excavation of wells near irrigation works.
  6. 51Operation of sluice gates, etc.
  7. 52Fishing and plying of boats, etc.
  8. 53Letting out of water from canal prohibited.
  9. 54Depositing produce of mines in or near channels prohibited.

Chapter IX PENALTIES AND PROCEDURE →

  1. 55Offences under the Act.
  2. 56Persons convicted under section 55 liable to repair the damage, etc.
  3. 57Abetment.
  4. 58Punishment for vexatious exercise of power.
  5. 59Punishment under other laws not barred.
  6. 60Offences under this Act to be cognizable
  7. 60ACompounding of offences.
  8. 61Power to remove obstruction or damage to work.
  9. 62Payment of fine as reward to informant.
  10. 62AFunctions of Water Users Society
  11. 62EEffect of other laws
  12. 62FPower to exempt certain projects.

Chapter X MISCELLANEOUS →

  1. 63Recovery of cost of repairing damage when the offender is unascertainable.
  2. 64Liability when person using water unauthorisedly cannot be found.
  3. 65Appeals against orders under the Act.
  4. 66Power of revision.
  5. 67Power to summon and examine witnesses.
  6. 68Service of notices.
  7. 69Bar of certain proceedings, etc.
  8. 70Offences by companies
  9. 71Power to make rules
  10. 72Repeal and savings.

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