Chapter 6 OFFENCE AND PENALTIES

Whoever without any lawful authority does any of the following acts namely:- (a) damages, alters, enlarges or obstructs any irrigation system, (b) Interferes with increases, diminishes the water supply in or the flow of water from, through, over or under any irrigation system. (c) Being responsible for the maintenance of the irrigation system neglects to take proper precautions for the prevention of wastage of the water thereof or interences with the authorized distribution of water there from or use water in an unauthorized manner or in such manner to cause damage to the adjacent land holdings, (d) Corrupts or fouls, water of any irrigation system so as to render it less fit for the purposes for which it is ordinarily used, (e) obstructs or remove any level Marks or Water Gauge or any other mark or signed fixed by the Authority or a Public Servant, and (f) Opens, shuts, obstructs or attempts to open, shut or obstruct any sluices or any other similar structures in any irrigation system, shall, on a complaint made by a farmers' organization, if convicted, be punished with imprisonment which may extend to one year or with fines which may extend to Rs. 5,000 or with both.

Nothing in this Act shall prevent any person being prosecuted and punished under any 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 offences more than once.

(i) Water Users' Association may accept from any person who committed or in respect to whom a reasonable belief can be inferred that he has committed an offence punishable under this Act of the rules made thereunder, a sum of money not exceeding Rs. 2,000 by way of compounding of such offence. (ii) On payment of such sum of money, the said person, if in custody, shall be discharged and no further proceeding shall be taken against him in regard to the offences so compounded.