Functions of Pani Panchayat

The Pani Panchayat shall perform the following functions, namely: (a) to prepare a cropping programme suitable for the soil and agro-climatic condition with due regard to crop diversification; (b) to prepare a plan for the maintenance of irrigation system in the area of its operation at the end of crop season and carry out the maintenance works of both distributary system and minor, sub-minor and field drains in its area of operation and head works of Minor irrigation Systems other than Lift Irrigation Point under the supervision ot the concerned Executive Engineers, out of the fund of the Pani Panchayat from time to time ; (c) to manage the Lift Irrigation Points as may be handed over to the Farmer's Organisation through a mutual agreement between two parties, as my be prescribed; (d) to regulate the use of water among the various pipe outlets under its area of operation according to the warabandi schedule of the system; (e) to promote economy in the use of water allocated; (f) to assist the Revenue Department in the preparation of demand and collection of water rates; Explanation :– In case of European Community aided Minor Irrigation (Flow) Projects, the Farmer's Organisation will be exempted from payment of Water Tax to the Revenue Department as laid down in resolution No. 48049, dated the 4th December, 1999 of the Department of Water Resources; (g) to collect fees from the water users of the Lift Irrigation Points for payment of energy charges, for repair, maintenance of machineries and distribution system, future replacement of machines; etc. (h) to maintain a register of land holders ; (i) to prepair and maintain an inventory of the irrigation system within the area of operation; (j) to minor flow of water for irrigation; (k) to resolve the disputes, if any, between the members and water users in its area of operation; (l) to raise resources ; (m) to maintain accounts; (n) to cause annual audit of its accounts; (o) to assist in the conduct of elections to the Executive Committee; (p) to maintain other records as may be prescribed; (q) to abide by the decisions of the Distributary and Project Committees; (r) to conduct General Body meetings, as may be prescribed; (s) to encourage avenue plantation on canal bunds and tank bunds by leasing such bunds ; (t) to conduct regular water budgeting; and (u) to conduct periodical social audits, as may be prescribed.