Procedure for obtaining labour for works or repairs urgently required

(1) Whenever it appears to a Canal Officer duly empowered to Act under this section that— (a) unless some work or repair is immediately executed such serious damage will happen to any canal as to cause sudden and extensive public injury ; (b) unless some clearance of a canal or other work which is necessary in order to maintain the established course of irrigation is immediately executed, serious public loss will occur ; and (c) the labourers necessary for the proper execution of such repair, clearance or work cannot be obtained in the ordinary manner within the time that can be allowed for the execution of the same so as to prevent such injury or loss ; the said Canal Officer may, by order under his hand, direct that the provisions of this section shall be put into operation for the execution of such repairs, clearance or work ; and thereupon every able-bodied person, who holds land or resides in the vicinity of the locality where such repair, clearance or work has to be executed and whose name appears in the list hereinafter mentioned shall, if required to do so by such officer or by any person authorised by him in this behalf, be bound to assist in the execution of such repair, clearance or work by labouring thereat as such officer or any person authorised by him in this behalf may direct. (2) All persons so labouring shall be entitled to payment at rates which shall not be less than the highest rates for the time being paid in the neighbourhood for similar labour.