(1) For the area delineated as area of operation of a minor, distributary and branch level water users’ association, water users’ associations shall be constituted which shall be known as alpika samiti, rajbaha samiti and shakha samiti respectively.
(2) All the members of the managing committee of immediate lower-level water users’ associations in its area of operation shall constitute the general body of alpika samiti, rajbaha samiti or shakha samiti as the case may be.
(3) In the case of minors off-taking from branch canal, a water users’ association comprising of specified number of water users’ associations at minor level may be constituted and affiliated with water users’ association at branch level. The status of such water user association shall be that of a water user association at distributary level. Further the managing committee of such water users’ association shall form the general body of water users’ association at branch level for the purpose of representation and other functions.
(4) If the constitution of water users’ association as aforesaid in sub-section (3) is not feasible, then the level of affiliation of alpika samitis concerned shall be determined after consultation as prescribed with each such alpika samiti and affiliating water users’ association. The managing committee of the water users’ association at minor level in such case shall form the general body of the affiliating water users’ association for purpose of representation and other functions.
(5) If a minor directly offtakes from main canal, the competent canal officer shall discharge all functions and powers of a distributary level water users’ association for such alpika samiti(s) till such affiliation.