The Rajasthan Irrigation and Drainage Act, 1954
The Rajasthan Irrigation and Drainage Act, 1954
The Rajasthan Irrigation and Drainage Act, 1954, regulates the state's public water infrastructure, including canals, reservoirs, and drainage systems, as well as the construction and shared use of private water channels. Applying to all landowners, tenants, and agriculturalists across Rajasthan, this law empowers the government to control and allocate natural water sources for irrigation while appointing dedicated officers to manage these resources. It matters because it ensures organized water distribution for farming, resolves disputes among neighboring water users, and establishes a clear legal process for property owners to claim compensation if government water projects impact their land or crops.
- 1. Short title and extent
- 2. Commencement
- 3. Interpretation
- 4. Territorial divisions and appointment of officers
- 5. Notification to issue when water supply is to be applied for public purposes
- 6. Powers of irrigation officers
- 7. Notice inviting claims for compensation
- 8. Matter for which compensation shall not be or may be awarded
- 9. Limitation of claims
- 10. Enquiry into claims and amount of compensation
- 11. Abatement of rent on interruption of water supply
- 12. Enhancement of rent on restoration of water supply
- 13. Compensation when due
- 14. Power to enter etc
- 15. Power to enter for repairs and prevent accidents
- 16. Application by persons desiring to use water
- 17. Government to provide means of crossing irrigation works
- 18. Persons using water course to construct works passing water across roads etc.
- 19. Adjustment of claims between persons jointly using water course
- 20. Supply of water through intervening water course
- 21. Application for construction of new water course
- 22. Procedure of irrigation officer thereupon
- 23. Application for transfer of existing water course
- 24. Objection to construction or transfer applied for
- 25. When applicant may be placed in occupation
- 26. Procedure when objection is held valid
- 27. Procedure when irrigation officer disagrees with Collector
- 28. Expenses to be paid by applicant
- 29. Conditions binding on applicant placed in occupation
- 30. Procedure applicable to occupation for extensions and alterations
- 31. Water supply to be subject to rules
- 32. Conditions of water supply
- 33. Liability when persons using unauthorizedly cannot be identified
- 34. Liability when water runs to waste
- 35. Charges recoverable in addition to penalties
- 36. Charge on occupier for water how determined
- 37. Owner's rate
- 38. Amount of owner's rate
- 39. Owner's rate, when not chargeable
- 40. Certified dues recoverable as land revenue
- 41. Lambardars or Patels may be required to collect irrigation dues
- 42. Power to prohibit obstructions or order their removal
- 43. Power to remove obstructions after prohibition
- 44. Preparation of schemes for works of improvement
- 45. Power of persons employed on such scheme
- 46. Rate of lands benefited by works
- 47. Recovery of rate
- 48. Disposal of claims to compensation
- 49. Limitation of such claims
- 50. Power to prescribe number of labourers to be supplied by persons benefited by irrigation works
- 51. Procedure for obtaining labour for works urgently required
- 52. Jurisdiction under this Act of Civil Ciurts
- 53. Settlement of reference as to mutual rights and liabilities of persons interested in water course
- 54. Power to summon and examine witness.
- 55. Offenses under Act
- 56. Saving of prosecution under other laws
- 57. Compensation to persons injured
- 58. Power to arrest without warrant
- 59. Definition of irrigation work
- 60. Power to make rules
PDF: pending for this language.