Vidhi Codex

The Maharashtra Management of Irrigation Systems by Farmers Act, 2005

The Maharashtra Management of Irrigation Systems by Farmers Act, 2005

Infrastructure200581 sections8 chapters

The Maharashtra Management of Irrigation Systems by Farmers Act, 2005 regulates the distribution of canal water and the maintenance of public irrigation systems. It applies to all landholders and water users inside designated agricultural areas across the state of Maharashtra. This law matters because it officially transfers water management from state agencies directly to local farmers, who must form registered Water Users Associations. By managing their own water supply and infrastructure collectively, farmers ensure fair, volumetric water distribution and sustainable farming. This reform promotes local ownership of resources while enhancing agricultural efficiency and protecting the environment through cooperative community management.

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Chapter I PRELIMINARY →

  1. 1Short title and commencement.
  2. 2Definitions.

Chapter II WATER USERS‟ ASSOCIATION AND DELINEATION OF COMMAND AREA THEREOF →

  1. 3Water Users' Association to be body corporate.
  2. 4Objects of Water Users' Association.
  3. 5Delineation of areas as areas under Management of Irrigation System by Farmers.
  4. 6Delineation of Command Area of Water Users‟ Association at minor level.
  5. 7Supply of water, to land under Management of Irrigation System by Farmers.
  6. 8Constitution of Water Users‟ Association at Minor Level.
  7. 9Managing Committee of Water Users‟ Association at Minor Level and election of its Directors and Chairperson.
  8. 10Delineation of area of operation of Distributary Level Association.
  9. 11Constitution of Distributary Level Association.
  10. 12Managing Committee of Distributary Level Association and election of its Directors and Chairperson.
  11. 13Delineation of area of operation of Canal Level Association.
  12. 14Delineation of area of operation of Canal Level Association.
  13. 15Managing Committee of Canal Level Association and election of its Directors and Chairperson.
  14. 16Delineation of area of Operation of Project Level Association.
  15. 17Constitution of Project Level Association.
  16. 18Managing Committee of Project Level Association and election of its Directors and Chairperson.
  17. 19Procedure for recall.
  18. 20Constitution of Sub-committees of Water User‟ Association.
  19. 21Agreement.
  20. 22Joint Inspection, repairs, rehabilitation and handing over of management of Command Area to minor level Water Users‟ Association.
  21. 23Installation of Measuring Device.
  22. 24Freedom of cropping.
  23. 25Freedom of recycling irrigation water and use of ground water.`
  24. 26Modes and rates for supply water to Water Users‟s Association.
  25. 27Powers of Water Users‟ Association to charge for supply of water to members.
  26. 28Supply of water as per Entitlement.
  27. 29Contents of Agreement.
  28. 30Office bearers of Water Users‟ Association and their powers.
  29. 31Power to remove encroachments.
  30. 32Resignation.
  31. 33Disqualifications.
  32. 34Filling up of vacancies.
  33. 35Records.
  34. 36Model regulations.
  35. 37Dissolution of Managing Committee of Water Users‟ Association and transitional arrangements.
  36. 38Appointment of Competent Authority.

Chapter III LIFT IRRIGATION WATER USERS‟ ASSOCIATION →

  1. 39Water Users‟ Association for Lift Irrigation.
  2. 40Permission to form Lift Irrigation Water User‟s Association on notified rivers or streams in command of flow irrigation.
  3. 41Permission to individual lifts on notified rivers or streams upstream of reservoir beyond the area of operation of Lift Irrigation Water Users‟ Associations on reservoir.
  4. 42Delineation of areas of operation of Lift Irrigation Water Users‟ Associations.
  5. 43Constitution of Lift Irrigation Water Users‟ Association.
  6. 44Managing Committee of Lift Irrigation Water Users‟ Association and election of its Directors and Chairperson.
  7. 45Water supply to all Lift Irrigation Water Users‟ Associations and individual lifts to be regulated by Canal Officer.
  8. 46Lift Irrigation Water Users‟ Associations not to lift water directly from the Main Canal.
  9. 47Provision and maintenance of Water Meters by Lift Irrigation Water Users‟ Associations.
  10. 48Regulation of supply of electricity to Lift Irrigation Water Users‟ Association.
  11. 49Determining water rates for Lift Irrigation Water Users‟ Associations.
  12. 50Application of provisions of Water Users‟ Associations.
  13. 51Linkages of Lift Irrigation Water Users‟ Associations.

Chapter IV POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF WATER USERS‟ ASSOCIATIONS →

  1. 52Powers and Functions of Water Users‟ Associations.
  2. 53Functions of Appropriate Authority and powers and duties of Canal Officer.

Chapter V SOURCES OF FUNDS →

  1. 54Sources of funds of Water Users‟ Association.
  2. 55Utilisation of funds of Water Users‟ Association.
  3. 56Budget.
  4. 57Deposit and administration of the funds.
  5. 58Reserve fund.
  6. 59Audit.

Chapter VI OFFENCES AND PENALTIES →

  1. 60Offences and penalties.
  2. 61Compounding of offences.
  3. 62Punishment under other law not barred.

Chapter VII CONFLICT RESOLUTION →

  1. 63Settlement of disputes.
  2. 64Appeals.

Chapter VIII GENERAL PROVISIONS →

  1. 65Application of the provisions of the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority Act, 2005.
  2. 66Ownership and control of specified items or components to vest with State Government.
  3. 67Control of Canal System not handed over to Water Users‟ Association.
  4. 68Water Budgeting at Project Level.
  5. 69State Government to be lawful owner of Canal System.
  6. 70Water Supply for non-irrigation purposes.
  7. 71Recovery of Water Charges.
  8. 72Act to apply to existing Water Users‟ Associations.
  9. 73Special provisions regarding on going projects.
  10. 74Authentication of orders and documents of Water Users‟ Association.
  11. 75Actions not to be invalidated by infirmity or vacancy, etc.
  12. 76Rules.
  13. 77Repeal.
  14. 78Saving.
  15. 79Act to have overriding effect.
  16. 80Power to remove difficulty.
  17. 81Repeal of Mah. Ord. XXIII of 2004.

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