Government to construct or dig bothies

(1) It shall be lawful for the Government to construct or dig field bothies on any land belonging to them or acquired by them for the purpose, for utilizing the water for the purpose of irrigation, notwithstanding that such construction or digging may interfere with the right of any person to take water from any water course for the purpose of irrigating his land or for any other purpose. (2) Where, in pursuance of sub-section (1), any field bothy is constructed or dug by the Government, the cost of construction or digging of such bothy, or such portion of the cost as the Collector may specify, may be recovered by the Collector from the owners of the lands and other properties benefited by the field bothy in such proportions and in such manner as may be prescribed. Explanation.-- For the purposes of this sub-section, the expression 'cost of construction or digging of such bothy' shall include- (i) the cost of the land acquired for the purpose, and (ii) the expenditure incurred towards the employment of the special staff for the purpose. (3) Any amount recoverable by the Collector under sub-section (2) may be recovered as if it were an arrear of land revenue.