20. Power of Gaon Panchayat as to Public Streets, waterways and other matters.
- A Gaon Panchayat shall have control of all public streets, waterways, other than canals as defined in sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Northern India Canal and Drainage Act, 1873 situate within its jurisdiction not being a private street or waterway and not being under the control of the Government or the District Board or any other authority specified by the Chief Commissioner and may do all that is necessary for the maintenance and repair thereof and may -(a)construct new bridges or culverts;(b)divert, discontinue or close any public street, culvert or bridge;(c)widen, open, enlarge or otherwise improve any public street, culvert or bridge within minimum damage to the neighbouring fields;(d)deepen or otherwise improve waterways;(e)with the sanction of the prescribed authority and where a canal exists under the Northern India Canal and Drainage Act, 1873, with the sanction also of such officer of the Irrigation Department as the Chief Commissioner may prescribe, undertake small irrigation projects;(f)cut any hedge or branch of any tree projecting on a public street;(g)notify the setting apart of any public water course for drinking or culinary purposes, and prohibit bathing, washing of clothes and animals or doing of other acts likely to pollute the course so set apart;Provided that nothing shall be done under clause (g) which may affect a canal governed by the Northern India Canal and Drainage Act, 1873, without the prior permission of the authority prescribed by the Chief Commissioner in this behalf.
