Chapter III FUNCTIONS OF FARMERS ORGANISATION

The Water Users Association shall perform the following functions, namely:-

1. (a) to prepare and implement an operational plan and a Rotational Water Supply for each irrigation season, consistent with the operational plan, prepared by the Distributory Committee and the Project Committee, and based upon the entitlement, area, soil and cropping pattern as approved by the managing committee of Distributory Committee, or as the case may be, of the Project Committee;
2. (b) to prepare a plan for the maintenance of irrigation system in the area of its operation at the end of each crop season and carry out the maintenance works of both distributory system, water courses and field drains in its area of operation with the funds of the Water Users Association, from time to time;
3. (c) to regulate the use of water among the various sluices under its area of operation according to the Rotational Water Supply;
4. (d) to promote economy in the use of water allocated;
5. (e) to assist the authorities of the Revenue department of the Government, in the preparation of demand and collection of water charges;
6. (f) to maintain a register of water users, as published by the Revenue department of the Government;
7. (g) to prepare and maintain an inventory of the irrigation system within the area of operation;
8. (h) to monitor flow of water for irrigation;
   • (i) to resolve the disputes, if any, between the members of the Water Users Association in its area of operation;
9. (j) to raise resources;
10. (k) to maintain accounts;
11. (l) to cause annual audit of its accounts;
12. (m) to assist in the conduct of elections to the managing committee;
13. (n) to maintain such other records, as may be prescribed;
14. (o) to abide by the decisions of the Distributory Committee and Project Committee;
15. (p) to conduct general body meetings, in such manner as may be prescribed;
16. (q) to encourage avenue for plantation on canal and tank poramboke, and to protect and maintain such plantations;
17. (r) to conduct regular water budgeting and also to conduct periodical social audit, as may be prescribed; and to remove the encroachments on canal, drains and tank poramboke in the area of jurisdiction of the Water Users Association.

The Distributory Committee shall perform the following functions, namely:-

1. (a) to prepare an operational plan based on its entitlement, area, soil, cropping pattern at the beginning of each irrigation season, consistent with the operational plan prepared by the Project Committee;
2. (b) to prepare a plan for the maintenance of branch canals, distributaries and medium drains within its area of operation at the end of each crop season and execute the maintenance works with its funds, from time to time;
3. (c) to regulate the use of water among the various Water Users Associations under its area of operation;
4. (d) to resolve disputes, if any, between the Water Users Associations in its area of operation;
5. (e) to maintain an inventory of the irrigation system in the area of its operation, including drains;
6. (f) to promote economy in the use of water allocated;
7. (g) to maintain accounts;
8. (h) to cause annual audit of its accounts;
   • (i) to maintain such other records, as may be prescribed;
9. (j) to monitor the flow of water for irrigation;
10. (k) to conduct general body meetings, as may be prescribed;
11. (l) to abide by the decisions of the Project Committee;
12. (m) to cause regular water budgeting and also the periodical social audit, as may be prescribed;
13. (n) to assist in the conduct of elections to the managing committee;
14. (o) to encourage avenue for plantations in its area of operation; and
15. (p) to remove the encroachments on canal, drains and tank poramboke in the area of jurisdiction of the Distributory Committee.

The Project Committee shall perform the following functions, namely:-

1. (a) to approve an operational plan, based on its entitlement, area, soil cropping pattern, as prepared by the competent authority, in respect of the entire project area at the beginning of each irrigation season;
2. (b) to approve a plan for the maintenance of irrigation system, including the major drains, within its area of operation at the end of each crop seasons and execute the maintenance works with the funds of the Project Committee, from time to time;
3. (c) to maintain a list of the Distributory Committees and Water Users Associations in its area of operation;
4. (d) to maintain an inventory of the branch canals, distributories and drainage systems in its area of operation;
5. (e) to resolve disputes if any, between the Distributory Committees;
6. (f) to promote economy in the use of water;
7. (g) to maintain accounts;
8. (h) to cause annual audit of its accounts;
   • (i) to maintain such other records, as may be prescribed;
9. (j) to conduct general body meetings, as may be prescribed;
10. (k) to cause regular water budgeting and also the periodical social audit, as may be prescribed;
11. (l) to encourage avenue for plantations in its area of operation; and
12. (m) to remove the encroachments on canal, drains and tank poramboke in the area of jurisdiction of the Project Committee.

A farmers organisation may, for carrying out the purposes of this Act, and for achieving the objects of such organisation and performing its functions, levy and collect such fees not exceeding hundred rupees per hectare per year from every water user, as may be prescribed, from time to time.

1. (1) The Government may, by notification, appoint such officer of the Water Resources Organisation, as they consider necessary, to be the competent authority to every farmers organisation, for the purposes of this Act.
2. (2) The competent authority appointed under sub-section
3. (1) shall assist the respective farmers organisation in the implementation and execution of all decisions taken by such farmers organisation.
4. (3) Every farmers organisation shall extend such co-operation or assistance, as may be required by the competent authority, for carrying out the purposes of this Act.