32. Power to prescribe the kind of crop to be grown under the irrigation area and the period of sowing such crop.
(1)Whenever the State Government is satisfied that for the better cultivation of lands and due preservation of the water-resources of an irrigation work, it is expedient and desirable in public interests to regulate the kind of crop that should be grown on lands under such irrigation work and the period of sowing such kinds of crop, it may, by notification, make a declaration to that effect.(2)On the making of a declaration under sub-section (1), the Irrigation Officer, after consultation with the committee appointed under section 27 and with the approval of the Deputy Commissioner, may specify by notification published in such manner as may be prescribed, the kinds of crop that shall be grown on any land under such irrigation work and the period of sowing and planting such crops.(3)On the publication of a notification under sub-section (2), no person shall grow or allow any crop other than the crops specified in such notification to be grown on any land under such irrigation work and no person shall sow or plant or allow the sowing or planting of crop at any time other than during the period specified in such notification.(4)[ In all cases in which the person who has sown or grown any unauthorised crop or allowed any land to be grown or sown with such unauthorised crop cannot be found the holder of land, in addition to such other person concerned, shall,-(a)be liable for contravening the provisions of this section; and(b)also be liable to pay such water rate, [or water charges as the case may be] as may be determined by the Irrigation Officer, not being less than the five times and not exceeding ten times the water rate [or water charges as the case may be] [Inserted by Act 24 of 2000 w.e.f. 14.6.2000.] which he would otherwise have been required to pay:Provided that if no water is utilised either directly or indirectly from the irrigation work for growing any crop, the provisions of sub-sections (3) and (4) shall not be applicable.] [Substituted by Act 12 of 1969 w.e.f. 19.6.1969.]
