Section 21 in The Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994
21. Power over waterways etc.
- A Gram Panchayat shall have control of all public streets, waterways, other than canals as defined in any other enactment for the time being in force relating to a canal or a minor canal, situated within its jurisdiction, not being a private street or waterway and not being under the control of the Government or any other authority specified by the Government and may do all things 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 a public street, culvert or bridge with minimum damage to the neighbouring fields;(d)deepen or otherwise improve water ways;(e)with the sanction of the prescribed authority undertake small irrigation projects;(f)cut any hedge or branch of any tree projecting on public street;(g)notify the setting a part 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 any other enactment for the time being in force relating to a canal or a minor canal, without the prior permission of the authority prescribed by the Government in this behalf.
