Obligation of persons to maintain and repair works.

(1) Every person shown in the statement prepared under section 16 as liable to maintain and repair works shall maintain it to the satisfaction of the Soil Conservation Officer and shall, within such time as the Soil Conservation Officer may fix, repair the works in his own land or in any other land in respect of which he is shown as liable in that statement. (2) If such person fails to maintain the works to the satisfaction of the Soil Conservation Officer or fails to repair them within the time fixed by the Soil Conservation Officer under sub- section (1), the Soil Conservation Officer shall himself maintain the work or get them repaired and recover the cost thereof with interest thereon from such person. (3) If the Soil Conservation Officer is of the opinion that an emergency has arisen and immediate repair of any works referred to in sub-section (1) is necessary in public interest, he shall cause such repairs to be carried out and the cost of such repairs with interest thereon shall be paid by the landowner or landowners concerned. (4) The Soil Conservation Officer shall, as soon as practicable, report to the State Government regarding such repairs.