15. Recovery of the cost incurred for construction of water-courses by Government.
- [Section 18] - (1) Where Government construct the water-courses of any irrigation work under Section 18 the cost of construction (which also includes the cost of Land Acquisition, if necessary) and cost of maintenance during construction or thereafter till the water-courses are made over to the owners or occupiers of lands within the culturable commanded area of the irrigation work for maintenance, shall ordinarily be recovered by an acreage rate in the manner specified hereunder unless the majority of the aforesaid persons apply in writing to pay the cost in the form of general enhancement of compulsory basic water-rate.(2)General enhancement of the compulsory basic water-rate will be fixed having due regard to the cost of construction and maintenance as mentioned in Sub-rule (1) and the life of the work.(3)The acreage rate shall be worked out by dividing the total cost mentioned in Sub-rule (1) by total acreage of land in culturable commanded area.(4)The acreage rate as may be arrived at under Sub-rule (3) shall ordinarily be recovered in 10 equated annual instalments unless the person wants to pay in lesser number of instalments or in lump sum.(5)Except in case of lump sum payment on due date for recovery of first instalment, interest shall be charged at the rate of 6 per cent per annum.(6)The acreage rate shall be worked out by the Irrigation Officer and shall be submitted through proper channel for approval by Government.(7)After the approval of the acreage rate by Government, Irrigation Officer shall prepare statement showing the amount payable by each owner and occupier according to area in acres possessed by each within culturable commanded area of the irrigation work and publish the same in the office of the concerned Grama Panchayats and at a conspicuous place in every village in which lands are situated. He shall also serve notice on the owners and the occupiers showing the amount payable by each and the date of recovery of annual instalments.(8)Any person may within fifteen days from the date of service of the notice under Sub-rule (7) present his objection to the Irrigation Officer regarding his liability to pay the amount and the correctness of the amount payable by him. The Irrigation Officer after making a summary inquiry shall record his decision regarding the person or persons liable to pay the acreage rate for the lands in question and the amount payable by each such person. No objection shall be entertained as to the quantum of acreage rate fixed by Government.
