(1) It shall be lawful for the Government or any officer authorised by them in this behalf to stop the supply of water to any land holding or field channel or to any person who is entitled, to such supply under all or any of the following circumstances, namely:–
(a) whenever and so long as it is necessary to stop such supply for the purpose of executing any work ordered by the competent authority;
(b) whenever and so long as any field channel by which such supply is received is not maintained in such repair as to prevent the wasteful escape of water thereof;
(c) whenever and so long as it may be necessary to do so in order to prevent the wastage or misuse of water;
(d) during the periods fixed, from time to time, by the Irrigation Officer of which due notice has been given;
(e) whenever there is diminution in the supply of water in the irrigation system due to any natural or seasonal causes and thereby so long as it is necessary to do so;
(f) whenever there are floods or heavy rains in the command area and thereby so long as it is necessary to do so.
Stoppage of water supply.
[Act No.15 of 1984] 23
(2) No claim shall be allowed against the Government for compensation in respect of any damage arising out of:–
(a) deterioration in climate or soil; or
(b) stoppage or diminution of the supply of water where such stappage or diminution is due to–
(i) any cause beyond the control of the authority incharge of the irrigation system;
(ii) the execution of any repairs, alterations or additions to the irrigation system;
(iii) any measures considered necessary by the Irrigation Officer for regulating the proper flow of water in the field channel or for maintaining the established course of irrigation; or
(iv) circumstances mentioned in clauses (a) to (f) of sub-section (1).
22. Where water from an irrigation system is supplied for the irrigation of one or more crops specified by the Irrigation Officer, the right to use such water shall be deemed to continue only until such crop or crops shall come into maturity, and to be lawful only in respect of such crop or crops.