Subject to the provisions of section 68-A or section 68-6 the irrigation Panchayat shall, in accordance with the rules made under this Act, be responsible for the proper maintenance of all watercourses constructed for the village and may call upon the permanent holders and occupiers of all land whether under an agreement Or within a compulsorily assessed area which is ordinarily Irrigated or may be irrigated through a water-course to render assistance in maintaining it, and in case of default to pay such sums as may be assessed by the Executive Engineer.
70. Power to construct water-courses at cost of perma-nent holders - (t) Notwithstanding anything contained in the tore going provisions of this Chapter, the State Government may, subject to rules made under this Act, enter into a contract with one or more of the permanent holders of irrigable land in a village, mahal or chak whereby the State Government undertakes to construct water-courses and the permanent holders undertake to bear the cost ot construction and maintenance. (2) When land not held by a permanent holder bound by such contract is required for the construction of a watercourse, it shall be deemed to be required for a public purpose and shall be acquired in accordance with the provisions at the land Acquisition Act, 1894 (No.1 of 1894).