Punjab Irrigation, Drainage and Rivers Act 2023 (Act XIV of 2023).

This Act provides for better and sustainable irrigation, drainage, and the control and management of rivers, streams, lakes, groundwater and navigation and related matters in the Punjab province. It is divided in the following Parts: Preliminary (I); Ownership and control of water (II); Establishment (III); Irrigation and reclamation schemes (IV); Construction and running of canals and drains (V); Village irrigation plans and water courses (Chap. VI); Supply of Canal Waters (VII); Drainage (VIII); Safety of Dams and other Works (IX); Rivers, embankment works and flood control (X); Groundwater (XI); Navigation of rivers and canals (XII); Engineering Academy (XIII); Irrigation research (XIV); Canal Patrols (XV); Financials and Properties (XVI); Transparency and fair play (XVII); Offences and punishments; Appeals and revisions (XIX); Miscellaneous provisions (XX).
The Act vests in the Government, subject to the provisions of any arrangements made by the Government in relation to riparian rights in the Indus Basin, all rights in the water flowing in a river, canal or drain, or the water held in a lake, dam or any other accumulation of water, or water received by way of percolation, regeneration or release as well as in the ground water in the Punjab. To a certain extend riparian water rights and certain abstraction rights to ground water sources are safeguarded. Part III provides with respect to territorial or functional units which may be established by the Chief Minister. The Act there also makes provision with respect to canal officers. Part IV is about water abstraction for use in canals, i.e. a waterway and the appertaining structures to convey water for the purposes of this Act. It is also about construction of private canals and reclamation works, and (approval of) public irrigation or reclamation schemes. Part V is about the construction of waterworks for public schemes and use of water for such schemes, which is partly based on seasonal canal regulation plans. The minimum standards for the provision of irrigation and drainage services in the Punjab shall be established by rules. Part VI provides for Preparation and publication of village irrigation plans and related waterworks.
In Part VII use of canal water is regulated. Water of canals may be used for the purposes listed at the outset of this Part. Canal water shall be supplied through sanctioned outlets. No person shall receive or apply water of a canal except with the permission. Water use for irrigation from a canal shall be approved by the Divisional Canal Officer. For other uses the Secretary to the Government, Irrigation Department shall decide on applications. In Part VIII discharging of waters or other material is drains is regulated. This requires permission from the Divisional Canal Officer. Part IX is about safety of waterworks and emergency action plans. Control shall b carried out by Canal Officers in-charge. Part X contains miscellaneous provisions for the protection and conservation of rivers. The Secretary may propose to the Minister that a particular area of a river, canal or drain or whole or a part of a lake, dam or headwork may be designated as a Conservation Zone for purposes of general environment, ecosystem, habitat, biodiversity, natural resources and landscape or cultural, scientific or recreational importance. The Conservation Zone shall be managed by an authorized Canal Officer. Part X is also about flood risk management and relative plans. Part XI regulates the use of groundwater. The Secretary may establish groundwater management zones and shall propose to the Minister a plan for improvement of ground water in the Punjab. other provisions of the Act concern navigation of rivers and canals, research, management of the Irrigation Research Fund, financial matters (including wastage charges and contributions for betterment of irrigation works), establishment of an Irrigation Betterment Fund, appeals and review of decisions, offences and punishments.