7. Rights and responsibilities of the Farmer's Organisation.
(1)The rights of the Farmers' Organisation shall be, -(i)to obtain information in time about water availability, opening/closing of main canal, periods of supply and quantity of supply closure of canals etc;(ii)to receive water in bulk from the Irrigation Projects for distribution among the water users on agreed terms of equity and social justice;(iii)to receive water according to an approved time schedule;(iv)to allocate water to non-members;(v)to levy separate fees for maintenance of the system;(vi)to levy any other fee or service charges, to meet management costs and any other expenses;(vii)to utilise the canal bunds as long as such use is not obstructive, or destructive to hydraulic structures by planting timber, fuel, or fruit bearing trees or grass for augmenting the income of the Farmers' Organisation;(viii)to obtain the latest information about new crop varieties, and their pattern, package of practices, weed control etc., for agriculture extension service and purchase inputs such as seeds, fertilizers and pesticides; for use of its members;(ix)to have full freedom to grow any crop other than those expressly prohibited by a law and adjust crop areas within the total water allocated without causing injury to neighbouring lands;(x)to participate in planning, and designing of micro-system;(xi)to suggest improvements/modifications in the layout of field channels/ field drains to supply water to all the farmers in the command; and(xii)to plan and promote use of the ground water.(2)The responsibility of Farmers' Organisation shall be,-(i)to enter into an agreement with the Irrigation Officer as per Form-'A', for achieving the objects and functions of the Farmer's Organisation as provided under Section 16 of the Act;(ii)to prepare the schedules of water deliveries and communicate to concerned officials;(iii)to organise preparation of crop plan to arch water deliveries with crop requirements;(iv)to supply water to all members in the commanded area as per the approved terms;(v)to carry out timely maintenance and repairs to the distributary system including drains and other properties;(vi)to organise repairs of the system by the farmers free of cost or on payment;(vii)to avoid and prevent misuse and wastage of water;(viii)to use water economically and furnish data if required to the Water Resources Department on water use, irrigated area, irrigation efficiency and crop yields;(ix)to maintain a register of land holders;(x)to prepare and maintain an inventory of the irrigation system within the area of operation;(xi)to resolve the disputes, if any, between the members and water users in its area of operation;(xii)to raise resources;(xiii)to maintain accounts;(xiv)to cause annual audit of its accounts;(xv)to assist in the conduct of elections to the Executive Committee;(xvi)to maintain records as per Rule 30;(xvii)to conduct General Body meeting, as per Rule 10;(xviii)to conduct periodical social audit, as per Rule 26;(xix)to inspect water utilisation by the farmers in the command assess irrigated crop areas and collect data on crop yields;(xx)to impose and recover penalties or fines for misuse and wastage of water and tampering or damaging with the irrigation network controls, sluices, outlets etc., as per the provisions of the Act;(xxi)to educate farmers on preparing fields and adopting modern methods of field irrigation, such as borders, furrows, graded bunding for all round efficiency;(xxii)to educate farmers on new crop varieties practices of using pesticides and weedicides;(xxiii)to procure hired implements and gadgets for agricultural operation where feasible and needed;(xxiv)to improve the system for efficient and economical use of available/ allocated water, for efficient production of crops;(xxv)to assist in collection of water rate;(xxvi)to collect water-rate from the users in case of European communities aided minor irrigation projects as per Water Resources Department Resolution No. 48049 dated 4.12.1999 at Annexure-1.(xxvii)to pay for the energy charges and maintain the Lift Irrigation point and to utilise the proceeds for maintenance of the distribution system by entering into an agreement as per Form B.
