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Bar News Acts League

The Northern India Canal and Drainage Act, 1873

Act ID: 1873

The Northern India Canal and Drainage Act, 1873

"An Act to regulate irrigation and drainage of lands by canals in northern India."

Table of Contents

84 Sections

Ch. I

– Preliminary

S.1Short title S.2Repeal of Acts S.3Interpretation clause S.4Power to appoint officers S.40Power to enter on lands S.41Notice to be given before entry S.42Compensation for damage S.43Power to make subsidiary works S.64Penalties S.65Jurisdiction of courts S.66Power to make rules

Ch. II

– Of the Application of water for Public Purposes

S.5Notification to issue when water supply is to be applied for public purposes S.6Powers of Canal officers S.7Notice as to claims for compensation S.8Damage for which compensation shall not be awarded S.9Limitation of claims S.10Enquiry into claims and amount of compensation S.11Abatement of rent on interruption of water supply S.12Enhancement of rent on restoration of water supply S.13Compensation when due

Ch. III

– Of the Construction and Maintenance of Works

S.14Power to enter and survey, etc S.15Power to enter for repairs and to prevent accidents S.16Application by persons desiring to use canal water S.17State Government to provide means of crossing canals S.18Persons using watercourse to construct works for passing water across roads, etc S.19Adjustment of claims between persons jointly using water-course S.20Supply of water through intervening water-course S.21Application for construction of new water-course S.22Procedure of Canal officer thereupon S.23Application for transfer of existing water-course S.24Objections to transfer applied for S.25When applicant may be placed in occupation S.26Procedure when objection is held valid S.27Procedure when Canal Officer disagrees with the Collector S.28Expenses to be paid by applicant before receiving occupation S.29Condition binding on applicant placed in occupation of water-course S.30Procedure applicable to occupation for extensions and alterations S.30APreparation of draft scheme S.30BPublication of a scheme S.30CPublication of scheme S.30DPublication of notice of intention to acquire land S.30ECost of execution of works to be met by share-holders S.30F[ Maintenance of water-course to be done by share-holders.] [Added by Punjab Act 9 of 1987.]S.30GBar of Jurisdiction of Civil Court

Ch. IV

– Of the Supply of Water

S.31In absence of written contract, water supply to be subject to rules S.32Conditions as to

Ch. V

– Of Water Rates

S.33Liability when person using unauthorisedly cannot be identified S.34Liability when water runs to waste S.35Charges recoverable in addition to penalties S.36Charge on occupier for water how determined S.37Owner's rate S.38Amount of owner's rate S.39Owner's rate when not chargeable S.44Water rate by whom payable, when charged on land held by several owners S.45Certified dues recoverable as land revenue S.46Power to contract for collection of canal dues S.47Lambardars may be required to collect canal dues S.48Fines excluded from Sections 45, 46, 47

Ch. VI

– Of Canal Navigation

S.49Detainer of vessel violating rules S.50Recovery of fines for offences in navigating canals S.51Powers to seize and detain vessel on failure to pay charges S.52Power to seize cargo or goods, if charges due thereon are not paid S.53Procedure for recovery of such charges after seizure S.54Procedure in respect of vessels abandoned and goods unclaimed

Ch. VII

– Of Drainage

S.55Power to prohibit obstructions or order their removal S.56Power to remove obstruction after prohibition S.57Preparation of Schemes for works of improvement S.57A[ Application for Sections 30-A to 30-G to "field drains".] [Inserted vide Punjab Act 19 of 1953.]S.58Powers of persons employed on such schemes S.59Rate on lands benefitted by works S.60[ Recovery of rate.] [Substituted by Punjab Act 19 of 1953.]S.61Disposal of claims as to compensation S.62Limitation of such claims

Ch. VIII

– Of Obtaining Labour on Canal and Drainage Works

Ch. IX

– Of Jurisdiction

S.67Jurisdiction under this Act of Civil Courts S.68[ Power of Deputy Collector to order use or distribution of water and settlement of differences as to mutual rights and liabilities of persons interested in water-course.] [Substituted by Punjab Act 21 of 1963.]S.69Power to summon and examine witnesses

Ch. X

– Of Offences and Penalties

S.70Offences under the Act,S.70A[ Order of the Divisional Canal Officer. [Inserted by Act No. 4 of 2012, dated 14.8.2012.]S.71Saving of prosecution under other laws S.72Compensation to person injured S.73Powers to arrest without warrant S.74Definition of "Canal"

Ch. XI

– Of Subsidiary Rules

S.75Power to make, alter and cancel Rules