PUNJAB MINOR CANALS ACT, 1905

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Punjab Minor Canals 
1905: Act III 
CONTENTS 
CHAPTER I 
Preliminary 
1. Short title and local extent 
2. Operation of Act 
3. Definitions 
CHAPTER II 
Construction of Canals and Water-Dues 
4. Prohibition against construction of canals without permission 
5. Application for permission and procedure thereon 
6. Power of Collector to construct canal from notified source of supply 
7. Power to prohibit the unauthorised  construction of and to close 
unauthorised canal 
8. Water-dues 
CHAPTER III 
Provisions applicable to canals 
under Schedule I 
9. This chapter applicable only to canals under Schedule I 
 10. General powers of Collector 
 11. Power of Government to suspend or extinguish rights in or over any 
scheduled canal on payment of compensation 
 12. Power to enter and survey, &c.  
 Power to clear land 
 Power to inspect and regulate water-supply 
 Notice of intended entry into houses 
 Compensation for damage caused by entry 
 13. Power to enter for repairs and to prevent accidents 
Compensation for damage to land 
(III of 1905) 
THE PUNJAB MINOR CANALS ACT, 1905 
 14. Power to occupy land adjacent to canal for depositing soil from canal 
and to excavate earth for repa irs to the banks and compensation for 
damage 
 15. Supply of water through intervening water-course 
 16. Application for construction of new water-course 
 17. Procedure of Collector thereupon 
 18. Application for transfer of existing water-course 
Procedure thereupon 
 19. Inquiry into, and determination, of objections to  construction or transfer 
of water-courses 
 20. Expenses to be paid by applicant for construction or transfer of 
water-course before receiving occupation 
Procedure in fixing compensation 
Recovery of compensation and expenses 
 21. Conditions binding on applicant placed in occupation 
 22. Construction of outlets from canals by Collector 
 23. Power to convert several water-courses running for a long distance 
side by side into one water-course 
 24. Procedure applicable to occupation for extensions and alterations 
 25. Costs of executing works  under section 22 , or section 23, by whom 
payable 
 26. Power of Provincial Government to direct supply of labour by irrigators 
 27. Powers of Collector upon issue of notification under section 26 
 28. Power to prepare record for canal 
Water-rates 
29. Levy of water-rates 
30. Liability when person using unauthorisedly cannot be identified 
31. Liability when water runs to waste 
32. Charges recoverable in addition to penalties 
CHAPTER IV 
Provisions applicable to canals included under Schedule II 
 33. This chapter applicable only to canals under Schedule II 
 34. Power of the Collector, in certain cases, to declare or appoint a manager 
of a canal 
 35. Power of Provincial Government to apply the prov isions of section 28 to 
any canal 
 36. Power to assume control or management, or both, of a canal 
 37. Right of owner upon such assumption, to demand that the canal shall 
be acquired by the Government 
 38. Power to acquire canal on demand of the owner 
 39. Power to fix the limits of irrigation  and water-rates and to regula te the 
distribution of water 
 40. Collection in certain cases, of  water-rates of a canal by  the Provincial 
Government 
CHAPTER V 
Provisions applicable to all canals 
 41. This chapter applicable to all canals 
 42. Consent or decision of the owner how to be determined 
 43. Settlement of disputes 
 44. Acquisition of land for canals 
 45. Power to acquire canal by consent or otherwise 
 46. Notice as to claims for compensation 
 47. Inquiry into claims 
Limitation of claims 
 48. Vesting of canal in Government 
 49. Power to regulate flow of water in rivers, creeks, natural channels or 
lines of natural drainage and to prohibit therein  or o rder removal 
therefrom of obstructions 
 50. Power to  remove obstruction  after publication  of noti fication, and 
payment of compensation 
 51. Power of the Collector to regulate  flow of water and prohibit or remove 
obstructions 
 52. Powers as to the construction and maintenance of works in respect of 
canals under Schedule II 
 53. Powers as to construction and maint enance of works in respect of 
canals under Schedule I 
 54. Power to take possession and to construct works in cases of emergency 
 55. Assessment of compensation 
 56. Compensation for right of user or in the form of a supply of water 
 57. Apportionment and recovery of  the cost of land acquired or works 
executed 
 58. Power to regulate mills 
 59. Application of sections 13 to 16 of Land Revenue Act, 1887 
 60. Exclusion of jurisdiction of  Civil Court except under Land Acquisition 
Act 
 61. Power to appoint officers to exercise functions under this Act 
 62. Powers of Collector in certain proceeding under the Act 
 63. Permission to owners a nd parties i nterested in any canal to  object in 
certain cases 
 64. Mode of serving notices and making proclamations 
 65. Bar of compensation where not expressly allowed 
 66. Protection of persons acting under the Act 
 67. Government to be party to certain suits and proceedings 
 68. Power to recover water -dues, water-rates and other charges by revenue 
process 
 69. Powers as regards canals, creeks situate partly without the limits of the 
areas to which this Act applies 
 70. Powers exercisable in cases of urg ency with regard to canals situate 
beyond the areas to which this Act applies 
 71. Offences under the Act 
 72. Power to arrest without a warrant 
 73. Definition of 'canal' for purposes of sections 71 and 72 
 74. Power to make rules 
SCHEDULE I 
SCHEDULE II 
 
 
TEXT 
1
THE PUNJAB MINOR CANALS ACT, 1905 
(III of 1905) 
[15 June 1905] 
An 
Act 
to make better provision for the control and management of minor canals in  
 
2
[certain areas 
of West Pakistan]. 
WHEREAS it is desirable to make better provision for the exercise of control over 
and for the regulation of the management of certain minor canals in 
3
[certain areas of West 
Pakistan]; 
It is hereby enacted as follows: 
CHAPTER I 
Preliminary 
1.  Short title and local extent .– (1) This Act may be called the Punjab Minor Canals 
Act of 1905. 
 
  4
[(2) It extends to the Divisions of Rawalpindi, Sargodha, Lahore, Multan, 
Quetta and Kalat except the Tribal Areas.] 
2.  Operation of Act.– (1) The provisions of this Act shall apply, to the extent and in 
the manner hereinafter provided, to every canal specified in eit her Schedule I or Schedule II 
as the case may be. 
(2)  At any time after the commencement of this Act, the 
5
[Provincial Government] 
may, from time to time, by notification– 
(a) include any canal under either Schedule I or Schedule II, as the case 
may be, or transfer a canal  from one schedule to the other 
schedule, and thereupon the provisions of this Act applicable to 
canals included under such schedule, or such of the said provisions 
as the  6
[Provincial Government] may direct, shall apply to such canal; 
or 
(b) exclude from the operation of this Act any canal which now is, or 
                                                
1This Act was published in the Government Gazette, Punjab and its Dependencies,  dated: 15 June 1905, pp. 117 -135. For 
Statement of Objects and Re asons, see Punjab Gazette, 1903, Part V, p. 100; for report of the Select Committee, see ibid., 
1905, Part V, p. 7; for proceedings in Council, see ibid., 1904, Part V, p. 27 and ibid., 1905, Part V, p. 44. 
2Substituted for the words “the Punjab” by the Punjab Minor Canals (West Pakistan Amendment) Act, 1963 (VIII of 1963), 
published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated: 15 June 1963, pp. 2627-2628, s. 2. 
3Ibid. 
4Substituted ibid., s. 3. 
5Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the  Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
6Ibid. 
hereafter may be, included under either Schedule I or Schedule II: 
Provided that no canal shall be included under Schedule I, unless–  
(a) it is owned in whole or in part by 
 
1
[the Provincial Government], or 
(b) is, at the commencement of this Act, managed by  
2
[Servants of the State] 
or by any local authority, or 
(c) is situate partly within and partly  without the territories to which this Act 
extends, or 
(d) has been included under Schedule II and is transferred to Schedule I 
3
[by 
direction of the Provincial Government]. 
(3)  The  4
[* *] Canal and Drainage Act, 1873
5
, shall not apply to any canal which 
is for the time being included under either Schedule I or Schedule II. 
3.  Definitions.– In this Act, unless there is something repugnant in subject or context– 
(i) “Record-of-Rights” and “Revenue Officer” have the meanings assigned to 
them respectively in the 
6
Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1887; 
(ii) “Canal” means any canal, natural or artificial channel or line of natural 
drainage or any reservoir, dam or embankment constr ucted, maintained or 
controlled for the supply or storage of  water or the protection of land from 
flood or sand, and includes  7
[any portion of a canal or] any water-course or 
subsidiary works as defined in this section; 
(iii) “Collector” means the head revenue officer  of a district and includes any 
officer appointed under this Act to exercise all or  any of the powers of a 
Collector; 
(iv) “Commissioner” means a Commissioner of a Division and includes any 
officer appointed under this Act to exercise all or  any of the powers of a 
Commissioner; 
(v) “Construction” and “construct” include any alteration which would materially 
extend the area  irrigable by a canal or any other alteration of material 
importance or the renewal of a canal after disuse for six years, but do not 
include the re-excavation of a canal head  which has  been temporarily 
abandoned owing to a change in the river, the excavation of a new head 
necessitated by a change in the river or a ch ange of water-courses to render 
existing irrigation more efficient; 
(vi) “Creek” means any channel of a river other than the main channel through 
                                                
1Substituted for the words “His Majesty for the purposes of the Province” by the West Pakistan Laws (Adaptation) Order, 1964, 
published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated: 3 June 1964, pp. 1805 -1849, s. 2 read with the Schedule. 
They were earlier substituted for the word “Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, 
published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 3 read with the Sixth Schedule. 
2Substituted ibid., for the words “Servants of the Crown”. They were earlier substituted for the words “Government officers” 
by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 
April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 3 read with the Sixth Schedule. 
3Substituted for the words “by direction of Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 
1937, published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 3 read with the Sixth Schedule. 
4The words “Northern India” were  omitted by the Punjab Laws (Adaptation, Revision and Repeal) Act, 1954 (XV of 
1955), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 21 January 1955, pp. 87-108, s. 2 read with the First Schedule. 
5India Act VIII of 1873. 
6XVII of 1887, subsequently replaced by the Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1967. 
7Inserted by the Punjab Minor Canals (Amendment) Act, 1952 (XVII of 1952), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), 
dated: 7 February 1952, pp. 125-126, s. 2. 
which the water of  the river would, unless obstructed by deposit of silt, 
naturally flow at some period of the year; 
(vii) “District” means a district as fixed for revenue purposes; 
(viii) “Irrigator” means in respect of any land which is irrigated from a canal any 
person for the time  being  directly  deriving  benefit  by  such  irrigation  and  
includes  a  land-owner  or occupancy tenant of such land; 
(ix) “Labour” includes labourers, cattle and appliances necessary for the 
execution of the work for which labour is to be supplied; 
 (x) “Mill” means any contrivance whereby the water-power of any canal is 
used for grinding, sawing or pressing, or for driving or working machinery or 
for any other similar purpose, and includes  all subsidiary works and 
structures connected with any such contrivance except the canal itself; 
(xi) “Subsidiary works” means all works required for the control or maintenance 
of the supply to a  canal or for the  maintenance of a canal in proper 
condition or for the regulation of the irrigation therefrom or for the prevention 
of floods or for the provision of proper drainage in connection with such 
irrigation, and include also the land required for such works; 
(xii) “Water-course” means any channel which is supplied with water from a 
canal and which is maintained at the cost of the irrigators, and includes all 
subsidiary works connected  with such channel except the sluice or outlet 
through which water is supplied to such channel;  
(xiii) “Water-due” means whatever is payable to Government in cash or kind by 
the owner of a canal for the diversion by such owner for the purposes of such 
canal of the water of any river, creek or stream flowing in a  natural channel 
or of any lake or other natural collection of water; 
(xiv) “Water-rate” means the charge made for canal water, other than a water-
due or canal advantage land-revenue rate. 
CHAPTER II 
Construction of Canals and Water-Dues 
4.  Prohibition against cons truction of canals  without permission .– When the  
1
[Provincial Government]  has notified in this behalf any natural channel, lake or other 
collection of water, no person shall, without permission previously obtained in the manner 
prescribed in the section next following, construct a canal intended to be fed from any such  
channel, lake or other collection of water: 
Provided that nothing in this section shall apply to the construction of a water-
course from an existing canal. 
5.  Application for permission and procedure thereon.– (1) Any person desiring 
to construct a canal intended to  be  fed from any source of supply which has been 
notified by 
2
[Provincial Government]  under section 4, may apply, in writing, to the 
Collector, for the permission prescribed in that section. 
(2)  Every application under sub-section (1) shall be in such form and shall 
contain such particulars as the 
3
[Provincial Government] may prescribe in that behalf. 
                                                
1Substituted for the word “Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published in the 
Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 3 read with the Sixth Schedule. 
2Ibid. 
3Ibid., for the words “Local Government”, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
6.  Power of Collector to construct canal from notified source of supply.– (1) 
When a source of supply has been notified by 
1
[Provincial Government] under section 4 
and the Collector considers that  the construction of a canal to be fed therefrom will be 
advantageous, he shall give notice by general proclamation to all persons intere sted of his 
intention to construct such canal. 
(2)  If no objection to the construction of such canal shall have been preferred 
within a period to be specified in the notice under sub-section (1), or if any such objection 
has been preferred within the said period, but has been finally overruled, the Coll ector may 
proceed to construct such canal. 
(3)  The provisions of sections 50 and 63 shall apply to all proceedings of the 
Collector under  sub-section (1) of this section and under the preceding section, and the 
powers conferred upon the Collector by this and the preceding section shall be exercised 
subject to such sanction as the 
2
[Provincial Government] may prescribe and in accordance 
with the rules made by such Government. 
7.  Power to prohibit the unauthorised construction of and to close 
unauthorised canal.– (1) If any person, without the permission necessary under sections 
4 and 5 of this Act, or contrary to any of the conditions of such  permission, commences 
to construct or proceeds with the construction of any canal, the Collector may,  at  any  
time,  by  order  in  writing,  prohibit  such  person,  and,  by  general proclamation, all other 
persons, from continuing the construction thereof: 
Provided that, unless in the case of a construction which would materially extend the 
area irrigable by a canal, no such order or proclamation, as the case may be, shall be made 
or issued in respect of any canal which, at the time when it is proposed to make or issue 
such order or proclamation, has been used for ir rigation for a period of three years 
without interruption, other than such as was due to natural causes beyond the control of 
the person aforesaid. 
(2)  If any person shall, at any time after the commencement of this Act, 
construct a canal without the permission  necessary under sections 4 and 5 of this Act, 
the Collector may, with the previous sanction of the  3
[Provincial Government], close it and 
shut off the supply of water thereto, and may further,  by order in writing, prohibit such 
person, and, by general proclamation, all other persons, from maintaining, repairing or 
renewing such canal or continuing to use the water thereof. 
8.  Water-dues.– (1) Subject to the conditions, if any, imposed or agreed to by the 
 
4
[Provincial Government] such Government may assess and levy water-dues in respect of– 
(i) canals made after the commencement of this Act; 
(ii) canals made before the commencement of this Act– 
(a) when the right to, or question of, water-dues has been expressly 
reserved by such Government, or 
(b) when the conditions upon which the owner of the canal has been 
allowed to use the water have been agreed on for a term and that 
term has expired, or 
(c) when such wate r-dues were already levied at the  commencement of 
                                                
1Ibid., for the word “Government”, Article 3 read with the Sixth Schedule. 
2Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, publish ed 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
3Ibid. 
4Ibid. 
this Act. 
(2)  The demand on account of water-dues shall be assessed for a term of years, 
and shall be limited to an amount not exceeding one-quarter of the net profits which are 
likely to accrue to the owner of the canal during that term. 
CHAPTER III 
Provisions applicable to canals under Schedule I 
9.  This chapter applic able only to  canals under Schedule  I.– Except as the 
1
[Provincial Government]  may otherwise direct under section 69 the provisions of this 
chapter shall apply only to canals for the time being included under Schedule I. 
10.  General powers of Collector.– (1) Notwithstanding the existence of any rights in or 
over a canal or water-course, the Collector may– 
(a) exercise all powers of control, management and direction for the efficient 
maintenance and working of such canal or for t he due distribution of the 
water thereof; and 
(b) whenever and so long as any water-course sluice  or outlet is not 
maintained in proper customary repair, or any  water-course sluice or outlet 
through which water is supplied to any person, or, in the case of a sluice or 
outlet, to any water-course or any person, is subjected to wilful damage or 
wrongful enlargement, stop the supply of water to such water-course sluice 
or outlet or to any person. 
(2)  No claim shall be enforceable against the 
2
[Provincial Government] for 
compensation in respect of loss caused by any order passed under sub-section (1), but any 
person suffering loss by reason of any order passed under sub-section (1) (a) may claim 
such remission of the ordinary charges payable for the use of the  water as is authorised by 
the 
3
[Provincial Government]: 
Provided that if any right to water entered in a record-of-rights prepared or revised 
under section 28(1) or deemed under section 28(3) to have been made under this Act or 
admitted in any agreement b etween the 4
[Provincial Government] and any person is 
substantially diminished in consequence of action  taken under sub-section (1)(a) the 
Collector shall award compensation under section 55 to such person in respect of the 
diminution of his right. 
(3)  No right to the use of the water of a canal shall be, or be deemed to have 
been acquired under the 
5
Indian Limitation Act, 1887, nor shall 
6
[Provincial Government] be 
bound to supply any person with water. 
11.  Power of Government to suspend or extinguish rights in or over any 
scheduled canal on payment of compensation.– (1) The 
7
[Provincial Government] may at 
any time suspend or extinguish any right to which any person is entitled in or over any 
                                                
1Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 193 7, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
2Ibid. 
3Ibid. 
4Ibid. 
5India Act XV of 1877, subsequently replaced by the Limitation Act, 1908 (IX of 1908). 
6Substituted for the word “Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published in the 
Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 3 read with the Sixth Schedule. 
7Ibid., for the words “Local Government”, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
canal if the exercise of such right is prejudicial to the interests of other irrigators or to the 
good management, improvement or extension of the canal. 
(2)  In every such case the 
1
[Provincial Government] shall cause to be paid to 
the person whose right is suspended or extinguished, compensation to be assessed by 
the Collector under section 55. In assessing  compensation for the  purposes of this 
section, the Collector shall also have regard to the character of the right, the period during 
which it has been  enjoyed and the  damage likely to be occasioned by its suspensi on or 
extinction. 
12.  Power to enter and survey, &c.– The Collector or other person acting under the 
general or special orders of the Collector may enter upon any land adjacent to  any canal, 
or through which any canal is proposed to be made, and undertak e surveys or levels 
thereon; 
and dig and bore into the sub-soil;  
and make and set up suitable land-marks, level-marks and water-gauges;  
and do all other acts necessary for the proper prosecution of any inquiry relating 
to any existing or projected canal under the charge of the said Collector;  
  Power to clear land.– and, where otherwise such inquiry cannot be completed, the 
Collector or such other person may cut down and clear away any part of any standing crop, 
fence or jungle;  
  Power to inspect and regulate water-supply.– and may also enter upon any 
land, building or water-course on account of which any water-rate is chargeable, for the 
purpose of inspecting or regulating the use of the water supplied, or of measuring the 
land irrigated thereby or chargeable with a water-rate, and of doing all things necessary 
for the proper regulation and management of such canal: 
Notice of intended entry into houses.– Provided that, if such Collector or person 
proposes to enter into any building or enclosed court or garden attached to a dwelling 
house not supplied with water flowing  from any canal, he shall previously give the 
occupier of such building, court or garden at least seven days’ notice in writing of his 
intention to do so. 
Compensation for damage caused by entry.– In every case of entry under 
this section, the Collector shall, upon application made to him in this behalf, assess and 
pay compensation for any damage which may be occasioned by any proceeding under this 
section. 
13.  Power to enter for repairs and to prevent accidents.– In case of any accident 
happening or being apprehended to a canal, the Collector or any person acting under his 
general or special orders in this behalf may enter upon any lands adjacent to such canal, 
and may execute all works which may be necessary for the purpose of repai ring or 
preventing such accident. 
Compensation for damage to land.– In every such case, the Collector shall, 
upon application made to him in this behalf, assess and pay compensation under section 
55, for any damage which may be occasioned by any proceeding under this section. 
14.  Power to occupy land adjacent to canal for depositing soil from canal and to 
excavate earth for repairs to the banks and compensation for damage .– (1) The 
Collector or any person acting under his general or special orders in  this behalf may, 
                                                
1Ibid. 
within such distance from the canal as the  1
[Provincial Government] may by rule determine, 
occupy land adjacent to any canal for the purpose of– 
(a) depositing upon it soil excavated from the canal, or 
(b) excavating from it earth for repairs to the canal. 
The Collector shall, upon application made to him in this behalf, assess and pay 
compensation for any damage which may be occasioned by any proceeding under this 
section. 
(2)  The owner of any land which has been occupied after the commencement 
of this Act for any purpose under sub-section (1) and has remained in such occupation for 
a period exceeding three years may require that such land shall be permanently acquired in 
accordance with the provisions of section 44. 
15.  Supply of water throu gh intervening water -course.– Whenever application is 
made to a Collector for a supply of water from a canal, and it appears to him expedient that 
such supply should be given,  and that it should be conveyed through some existing 
water-course, he shall give notice to the persons responsible for the maintenance of  such  
water-course to show cause, on a day not less than fourteen days from the date of such 
notice, why the said supply should not be so conveyed; and, after making inquiry on such 
day, the Collector shall determine whether and on what  conditions the said supply shall 
be conveyed through such water-course. 
The applicant shall not be entitled to use such water-course until he has paid the 
expense of any alteration of such water-course necessary in order to his  being supplied 
through it, and also such share of the first cost of such water -course as the Collector m ay 
determine. 
Such applicant shall also be liable for his share of the cost of maintenance of such 
water-course so long as he uses it. 
16.  Application for construction of new water-course.– Any person desiring the 
construction of a new water-course may apply in writing to the Collector, stating– 
(i) that he has endeavoured unsuccessfully to acquire, from the owners of 
the land through which  he desires such water-course to pass, a right to 
occupy so much of the land as will be needed for such water-course; 
(ii) that he desires the Collector, in his behalf and at his cost, to do all things 
necessary for acquiring such right; 
(iii) that he is able to defray all costs involved in acquiring such right and 
constructing such water-course. 
17.  Procedure of Collector thereupon.– If the Collector considers– 
(i) that the construction of such water-course is expedient, and 
(ii) that the statements in the application are true, 
he shall call upon the applicant to make such deposit as the Collector considers 
necessary to defray the cost  of the preliminary proceedings, and the amount of any 
compensation which he considers likely to become due under section 20; 
and, upon such deposit being made, he shall cause enquiry to be made into the 
most suitable alignment for the said water-course, and shall mark out the land which, in 
his opinion, it will be necessary to occupy for the construction thereof, and shall forthwith 
                                                
1Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
publish a notice in every village through which the water-course is proposed to be taken, 
that so much of such land as belongs to such village has been so marked out. 
18.  Application for transfer of existing water-course.– Any person desiring that an 
existing water-course should be transferred from it’s present owner to himself, may apply 
in writing to the Collector stating– 
(i) that he has endeavoured unsuccessfully to procure such transfer from the 
owner of such water-course; 
(ii) that he desires the Collector, in his behalf, and at his cost, to do all things 
necessary for procuring such transfer; 
(iii) that he is able to defray the cost of such transfer. 
Procedure thereupon.– If the Collector considers– 
(a) that the said transfer is necessary for the better management of the 
irrigation from such water-course, and 
(b) that the statements in the application are true,  
he shall call upon the applicant to make such deposit as the Collector considers 
necessary to defray the cost of the preliminary proceedings, and the amount of any 
compensation that may become due under the provisions of section 20 in respect of 
such transfer;  
and, upon such deposit being made, he shall publish a notice of the appli cation in 
every village affected. 
19.  Inquiry into, and determination of, objections to construction or transfer of 
water-courses.– (1) When within thirty days from the publication of a notice under section 
17 or section 18 as the case may be, any person interested in  the land or water-course 
to which the notice refers, applies to the Collector as aforesaid, stating his objection to the 
construction or transfer for which application has been made, the Collector shall give notice 
to the other persons interested that, on a day to be named in such notice  or any 
subsequent day to which the proceedings may be adjourned, he will proceed to inquire into 
the matter in dispute or into the validity of such objections as the case may be. 
(2)  Upon the day so named or any such subsequent day as aforesaid, the 
Collector shall proceed to hear and determine the dispute or  the objection as the case may 
be. 
20.  Expenses to be paid by applicant for construction or  transfer of water-course 
before receiving occupation.– No applicant under section 16 or section 18, as the case 
may be, shall be placed in occupation of such land or water-course until he has paid to the 
person named by the Collector such  amount as the Collector determines to be due  as 
compensation for the land or water-course so occupied  or transferred, and for any 
damage caused by the marking out or occupation of such land, together with all expenses 
incidental to such occupation or transfer. 
Procedure in fixing compensation.– Compensation to be made under this section 
shall be assessed as provided in section 55, but the Collector may, if the person to be 
compensated so desire, award such compensation in the form of a rent charge payable 
in respect of the land or water-course occupied or transferred. 
Recovery of compensation and expenses.– If such compensation and expenses 
are not paid when demanded by the person entitled to receive the same, the amount may 
be recovered by the Collector, and shall, when recovered, be paid by him to the person 
entitled to receive the same. 
21.  Conditions binding on applicant placed in occupation.– (1) When any such 
applicant has duly complied  with the conditions laid down in section 20, he shall be 
placed in occupation of the land or water-course as aforesaid, and the following rules and 
conditions shall be thereafter binding on him and his representative in interest:– 
(a) In all cases, 
First– All works necessary for the passage across such water-course or water-
courses existing  previous to its construction and of the drainage intercepted by it, 
and for affording  proper communications across it for the convenience of the 
neighbouring lands,  shall  be  constructed  by  the  applicant,  and  be  maintained  
by  him  or  his representative in interest to the satisfaction of the Collector. 
Second– Land occupied for a water-course under the provisions of section 17 shall 
be used only for the purposes of such water-course. 
Third– The proposed water-course shall be completed to the satisfaction of the 
Collector within one year after the applicant is placed in occupation of the land. 
(b) In cases in which land is occupied or a water-course is transferred, on the 
terms of a rent-charge, 
Fourth– The applicant or his representative in interest shall, so long as he occupies 
such land or  water-course,  pay  rent  for  the  same  at  such  rate  and  on  such  
days  as  are determined by the Collector when the applicant is placed in occupation. 
Fifth– If the right to occupy the land cease owing to a breach of any of these 
rules, the liability  to pay the said rents shall continue until the applicant or his 
representative in interest has restored the land to its original condition, or until he 
has paid, by way of compensation  for any injury done to the said land, such 
amount and to such person as the Collector determines. 
Sixth– The Collector may, on the application of the person entitled to receive such 
rent or compensation,  determine  the  amount of rent due or assess  the amount of 
such compensation;  and if any such rent or compensation be not paid by the 
applicant or his representative in interest, the Collector  may  recover the amount, 
with interest thereon at the rate of six per cent. per annum from the date on which 
it became due, and shall pay the same, when recovered, to the person to whom it is 
due. 
(2)  If any of the rules and conditions prescribed by this section are not 
complied with, or if any water-course constructed or transferred under this Act is disused 
for three years continuously, the right of the applicant, or of his representative in interest, 
to occupy such land or water-course shall cease absolutely. 
22.  Construction of outlets from canals by Collector.– The Collector may construct 
or repair or alter a sluice or outlet to regulate the  supply of water from a canal to any water -
course. 
23.  Power to convert several water-courses running for a long distance side by 
side into one water-course.–  (1)  In cases where there are water-courses running side 
by side or so situated as to interfere with the economical use or proper management of the 
water-supply, the Collector, if applied to for that purpose, or on his own motion may require 
the owners to make arrangements to his satisfaction to unite the water -courses or to 
substitute for them such system as may have been approved by him. 
(2)  If the owners fail within such time as the Collector may fix to comply with any 
order passed by him under sub-section (1) the Collector may himself execute the work. 
(3)  Whenever a water-course has been reconstructed or a new system 
substituted under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), the Collector may fix the shares in 
which the water shall be enjoyed by the persons entitled to use the water-course. 
24.  Procedure applicable to occup ation for  extensions and alterations .– The 
procedure hereinbefore provided for the occupation of land for the construction of  a water-
course shall be applicable to the occupation of land for any extension or alteration of a 
water-course and for the deposit of soil from water-course clearances. 
25.  Costs of executing works under section 22, or section 23, by whom 
payable.– In every case under  section 22 or section 23, the cost of executing or 
completing the works shall be payable by such person or persons deriving benefit from the 
water-course as the Collector may in each case determine. 
26.  Power of 
1
[Provincial Government] to direct supply of labour by irrigators.– The  
2
[Provincial Government] may, by notification, direct that the irrigators from any canal or any 
two or more adjacent canals shall be bound to furnish labour free of cost to Government 
for the purpose of effecting the annual  silt clearance of such canal or canals or of 
maintaining such canal or canals in  a state of efficiency or of executing any work 
necessary thereto, in either of the following cases, namely:– 
(a) whenever such irrigators are bound, by a condition entered in the record-
of-rights of such canal  or canals or of the estates supplied with water 
therefrom or by established custom, to furnish such labour, or 
(b) whenever the land-owners who are responsible for the payment of more 
than half the land-revenue assessed on the land irrigated from such canal, or 
canals, agree to undertake to supply such labour. 
27.  Powers of Collector upon  issue of notification under section  26.– Upon the 
issue of a notification unde r section 26 the Collector may, from time to time, by general or 
special order,– 
(a) determine the amount of labour to be provided or the amount of work to be 
performed by each irrigator; 
(b) regulate the a ttendance, distribution and c ontrol of the labourers provided or 
the manner of the performance of the work; 
(c) assess and recover the cost of such labour from any person who fails to 
comply with an order passed under this section; and 
(d) fund all costs so recovered and expend them on the provision of hired 
labour for any of the canals to which  the notification applies, or subject to 
the provisions, if any, of a record-of-rights specified in section 26 or section 
28, on any other purpose connected with the well- being thereof: 
Provided that the costs assessed as aforesaid shall not exceed eight annas for each 
day’s labour of each of the labourers in respect of whom default has occurred. 
28.  Power to prepare record for canal.– (1) The Collector shall, whenever the 
 
3
[Provincial Government]  may, by special order or by the rules made under the authority 
of this Act, so direct, prepare or revise for any canal a record showing all or any of the 
following matters, namely:– 
                                                
1Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
2Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
3Ibid. 
(a) the custom or rule of irrigation; 
(b) the rights to water and the conditions on which such rights are enjoyed; 
(c) the rights as to the erection, repair, re-construction and working of mills, and 
the conditions on which such rights are enjoyed; and 
(d) such other matters as the 
 
1
[Provincial Government] may by rule prescribe in 
this behalf. 
(2)  Entries in the record so prepared or revised shall be relevant as evidence in 
any dispute as to the matters recorded, and shall be presumed to be true until the contrary 
is proved or a new entry is lawfully substituted therefor: 
Provided that no such entry shall be so construed as to limit any of the powers 
conferred on 
2
[the Provincial Government] by this Act. 
(3)  When a record showing all or any of the matters enumerated in sub-section 
(1) has been framed at  any settlement of the land revenue already sanctioned by 
3
[the 
Provincial Government] and has been attested by a revenue officer, such record shall be  
deemed to have been made under this section. 
(4)  Every person interested shall be bound to furnish to the Collector, or to any 
person acting under the direction of the Collector, all information necessary for the correct 
preparation of a record under this section. 
(5)  The provisions of Chapter IV of the 4
Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1887, shall, 
so far as may be, apply to the preparation and revision of every such record. 
Water-rates 
29.  Levy of water-rates.– (1) Subject to the terms of any agreement made by it with the 
owners or irrigators, the 
5
[Provincial Government] may, by notification, direct that a rate or 
rates shall be levied for the use of water of a canal in an authorised manner. 
(2)  The 
6
[Provincial Government] may, by notification, also impose a special rate 
for all water obtained or used without authority or in an unauthorised manner. 
(3)  The rate or rates imposed under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) shall be 
leviable from such persons deriving benefit from the water as the 
7
[Provincial Government] 
may, by general or special rule, direct. 
(4)  Subject to the terms of any such agreement as aforesaid, the proceeds of 
any rate or rates levied under this section shall be disposed of in such manner as the 
8
[Provincial Government] may, by general or special rule, direct. 
30.  Liability when person using unauthorisedly cannot be identified.– If water 
supplied through a water-course be used in an unauthorised manner, and if the person by 
                                                
1Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
2Ibid., for the word “Government”, Article 3 read with the Sixth Schedule. 
3Ibid., for the words “the Government”. 
4XVII of 1887, subsequently replaced by the Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1967. 
5Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
6Ibid. 
7Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
8Ibid. 
whose act or neglect such use has occurred cannot be identified,  
the person on whose land such water has flowed  if such land has derived benefit 
therefrom, 
or, if  such person cannot be identified, or if such land has not derived benefit 
therefrom, all the persons chargeable in respect of the wat er supplied through such water -
course, 
shall be liable, or jointly liable as the case may be, to the charges made for such use. 
31.  Liability when water runs to waste.– If water supplied through a water-course 
be suffered to run to waste, and if after enquiry by the Collector, the person through whose 
act or neglect such water was suffered  to run to waste cannot be discovered, all the 
persons chargeable in respect of the water supplied through such water -course shall be 
jointly liable for the charges made in respect of the water so wasted. 
32.  Charges recoverable in addition to penalties.– All charges for the unauthorised 
use or for waste of water may be recovered in addition to any penalties incurred on account 
of such use or waste. 
All questions under section 30 or section 31 shall be decided by the Collector. 
CHAPTER IV 
Provisions applicable to canals included 
under Schedule II 
33.  This chapter applicable only to canals under Schedule II.– Except as the 
1
[Provincial Government]  may otherwise direct under section 69 the provisions of this 
chapter shall apply only to canals for the time being included under Schedule II. 
34.  Power of the Collector, in certain cases, to declare or appoint a manager of a 
canal.– Where there are  numerous share-holders in the ownership of a canal, or where it 
is difficult to ascertain the persons who are  share-holders  or the extent of the interest of 
the share-holders, or any of them, the Collector may, if there is no proper manager or 
representative, require by a proclamation or notice in writing,  the share-holders to 
nominate, within a given period, a fit person as manager of the canal and their  
representative, and upon their failure to do so, may himself appoint any person to be the 
manager of  such canal and the representative of the share-holders, and the person so 
appointed may thereupon do all  acts  and  things  which  the  share-holders  or  any  of  
them  might  lawfully  do  in  regard  to  the management of such canal, and all acts and 
things so done by him shall be binding upon every person who possesses any share in the 
ownership of such canal. 
35.  Power of 
2
[Provincial Government] to apply the provisions of section 28 to any 
canal.– The 
3
[Provincial Government] may, by notification, declare all or any of the 
provisions of section 28 (as to the preparation and revision of records) to be applicable to 
any canal, and, upon any such declaration being made, such provisions shall,  as far as 
may be, apply accordingly. 
36.  Power to assume control or management, or both, of a canal.– (1) It shall be 
                                                
1Ibid. 
2Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
3Ibid. 
lawful for the
 
1
[Provincial Government], by notification, to assume the control or 
management, or both, of any canal– 
(a) if the owner of such canal consents thereto, and subject to the condition 
(if any) on which such consent may in any case be given; 
(b) if, after enquiry, the 
2
[Provincial Government] is satisfied that the control or 
management exercised by or on behalf of the owner is such as causes grave 
injury to the property or health of persons owning lands in the vicinity; 
(c) in the event of any wilful and con tinuous breach of orders issued under 
section 39 of this Act.  
(2)  When the control or management, or both, of any canal is assumed under 
the provisions of sub-section (1), the 
3
[Provincial Government] may exercise all or any of 
the rights and powers in regard thereto which, but for such assumption, the owner might 
lawfully have exercised, and may delegate such powers or any of them to any person, but 
Government shall, in the absence of any decree or agreement to the contrary, be liable to 
account, from time to time, to such owners for the income and expenditure thereof and 
may at any time restore the canal to the owner. 
37.  Right of owner upon such assumption, to demand that the canal shall be 
acquired by the Government .–  When the control or management, or both, of a canal 
shall be assumed by the 
4
[Provincial Government] under clause ( b) or clause  (c) of sub-
section (1) of section 36, and such control or management shall have continued for a period 
exceeding six years, the owner thereof may, by notice in writing delivered to the Collector, 
require that the Government shall acquire such canal. 
38.  Power to acquire can al on dem and of the owner .– On receipt of notice under 
section 37 the 
5
[Provincial Government] shall by notification declare that the said canal will 
be acquired after a day to be named in the said notification, not being earlier than three 
months from the date thereof, and after the issue of such notification the Collector sha ll 
proceed as in sections 46 and 47 provided. 
39.  Power to fix the limits of irrigation and water-rates and to regulate the 
distribution of water .– The 
 
6
[Provincial Government] may after inquiry through the 
Collector, in respect of any canal, issue orders as to all or any of the following things, 
namely– 
(a) fixing the limits within which land may be irrigated from such canal; 
(b) fixing, as it may deem equitable, the amount and character of the water-
rates leviable by the owner, and the conditions on which such rates a re to be 
paid, suspended, remitted or refunded; 
(c) regulating the supply and distribution of the water to and from such canal: 
Provided that if any land which has been continuously irrigated from the canal 
for three years previously is  deprived of irrigation, or the income of the canal-owner from 
such canal is materially reduced by reason of any order passed under this section, the 
                                                
1Ibid. 
2Ibid. 
3Ibid. 
4Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
5Ibid. 
6Ibid. 
owners of such land or the canal-owner shall be paid by Government or by such persons 
as Government may determine such compensation as the Collector may consider 
reasonable. 
Provided further that if the canal owner has in the opinion of the 
1
[Provincial 
Government] exercised his powers as such in an a rbitrary or inequitable mann er he shall 
not be entitled to compensation under this section. 
40.  Collection, in certain cases, of water-rates of a canal by the 
2
[Provincial 
Government].– (1) The 
3
[Provincial Government] may, at the request of the owner, 
undertake the collection of the water-rates leviable in respect of a canal for such period as  
may be agreed upon with him, and may, thereupon,– 
(a) regulate such collection and determine the persons by whom it shall be made; 
(b) direct that by way of payment for service rendered in making such collection, 
deductions shall be made not exceed ing three per cent . of the amount 
collected. 
(2)  During the period for which the 
4
[Provincial Government] has undertaken the 
collection of the water-rates leviable in resp ect of a  canal, no suit for the recovery of any 
such rates shall be instituted. 
CHAPTER V 
Provisions applicable to all canals 
41.  This chapter applicable to all canals.– Save as otherwise hereinafter expressly 
provided, the provisions of this chapter shall be applicable to all canals, whether included 
under Schedule I or under Schedule II. 
42.  Consent or decision of the owner how to be determined.– Whenever, in respect 
of any canal, any question  arises  which has under this Act or the rules made thereunder, 
to be determined by the request consent or decision of the owner, and the ownership of 
such canal is vested in more persons than one who are unable to agree as to such  
request consent or decision it shall be lawful to the Collector  to act on behalf of the 
owners in any such matter, and the request consent or decision of the Collector in any 
such case shall be binding upon every person who possesses any share in the ownership of 
such canal. 
In every such case the Collector shall give due consideration to the wishes of the 
share-holder or share-holders who possess the larger interest, and when the question is 
one whether the Government shall be required to take any action, the wishes of such share-
holder or share-holders shall prevail and be accepted by the Collector. 
43.  Settlement of disputes.– (1) Save as provided in the preceding section, whenever a 
dispute arises between two or more persons in regard to their mutual rights and liabilities in 
respect of the ownership, construction, use or maintenance of a canal or water-course, 
and any such person applies in writing to the Collector stating the matter in dispute, the 
Collector shall give notice to the other person or persons interested that on a day to be 
named in such notice or any such day to which the proceedings may be adjourned, he will 
proceed to inquire into the matter in dispute. 
                                                
1Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
2Ibid. 
3Ibid. 
4Ibid. 
(2)  Upon the day so named or any such subsequent day as aforesaid, the 
Collector shall proceed to hear and determine the dispute in t he following manner, that is to 
say, 
(a) If the dispute relates to the ownership of a canal or the mutual rights of 
owners in the use of  the water of such canal or the construction or 
maintenance of a canal or the payment of any share of the costs of such 
construction or maintenance or the distribution of the supply of water from a 
canal, the Collector shall proceed as a Revenue Court under the provisions of 
the Punjab Tenancy  Act, 1887
1
, and the provisions of that  Act r egarding 
appeals, revisions and reviews shall be applicable. 
(b) If the dispute relates to a water-course the Collector shall hear and determine 
the case as a revenue officer  and shall make such order thereon as to him 
seems fit, and such order shall unless  set aside on appeal to the 
Commissioner be conclusive as to the use or distribution of water  for any 
crop sown or growing at t he date of  such order.  The order of the 
Commissioner on appeal shall in every such case be final. 
44.  Acquisition of land for canals.– (1) Any person who has obtained the 
permission of the 
2
[Provincial Government] to construct, or who owns a canal, may apply in  
writing to the Collector to take up any land required for the purposes of such canal. 
(2)  If the Collector is of opinion that the application should be granted, he shall 
submit it, with his recommendation, for the orders of the 
3
[Provincial Government]. 
(3)  If, in the opinion of the 4
[Provincial Government], the application should, 
whether in whole or in part, be granted, it may declare that the land is required for a public 
purpose within the meaning of the Land Acquisition Act, 189 4
5
, and direct the necessary 
action to be taken thereunder. 
45.  Power to acquire canal by consent or otherwise.– Whenever it appears to the 
6
[Provincial Government]  expedient in the public interest to acquire any canal, the  
7
[Provincial Government] may by notification declare that the said canal will be acquired after 
a day to be named in the said notification, not being earlier than  8
[one month] from the date 
thereof. 
46.  Notice as to claims for compensation .– As soon as practicable after  the issue of 
such notification the Collector shall cause public notice to be given at convenient places 
stating that the  9
[Provincial Government] intends to acquire the said canal as aforesaid and 
that claims for compensation in respect of the acquisition thereof may be made before him. 
                                                
1India Act XVI of 1887. 
2Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
3Ibid. 
4Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
5I of 1894. 
6Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
7Ibid. 
8Substituted for the words “six months” by the Punjab Minor Canals (Amendment) Act, 1952 (XVII of 1952), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 7 February 1952, pp. 125-126, s. 3. 
9Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
47.  Inquiry into claims.– (1) The Collector shall proceed to inquire into any such 
claims and to determine  the  amount of compens ation, which should be  given to the 
claimant, in assessing such  compensation the Collector shall proceed as provided in 
section 55, but for the purposes of this section he shall also have regard to the history of 
the canal, the expenditure incurred thereon and the profits  1
[already earned by] the owner. 
(2)  Limitation of claims.– No claim for compensation shall be enforceable after 
the expiration of one  year from the date of the notice under section 46, unless the 
Collector is satisfied that the claimant had sufficient cause for not mak ing the claim within 
such period. 
48.  Vesting of canal in 
2
[Government].– (1) The 
3
[Provincial Government] shall by  
notification declare the day on which a canal has been acquired by it 
4
[,]  5
[and 
notwithstanding that compensation  has not been assessed under section 47 or paid to the 
claimant, the canal shall be deemed to have been acquired on the day so declared.] 
(2)  Subject to the award of compensation to the owner or person interested in 
the said canal, when the 
6
[Provincial Government] acquires a canal,– 
(a) the right, title and interest therein, of the  owner thereof shall forthwith cease 
and determine; 
(b) such canal, subject to any right to take water for irrigation which any 
person may have, shall forthwith vest in and be the absolute property of 
7
[the 
8
[Provincial Government] ]. 
49.  Power to regulate flow of water in r ivers, creeks, natural channels or lines of 
natural drainage and to prohibit therein or order removal therefrom of obstructions.– 
The 
9
[Provincial Government]  may, by notification published in the official Gazette, take 
power to regulate the flow of water in any river, creek natural channel or line of natural 
drainage whether by the construction or removal of works or otherwise, and whenever it 
appears to such Government, after inquiry through the Collector that the supply of water to 
a canal or the cultivation of any land or the public health or public convenience is likely to 
be injuriously affected by the obstruction of any river, creek natural  channel or line of 
natural drainage it may, by notification published as aforesaid, prohibit within the limits to 
be defined  by such notification the formation of such obstruction, or may within such  
limits  order the removal or other modification of such obstruction. 
50.  Power to remove o bstruction after pu blication of notification, and p ayment of 
                                                
1Substituted for the word “of” by  the Punjab Minor Canals (Amendment) Act, 1952 (XVII of 1952), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 7 February 1952, pp. 125-126, s. 4. 
2Substituted for the words “the C rown” by the West Pakistan Laws (Adaptation) Order, 1964, published in the Gazette of West 
Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated: 3 June 1964, pp. 1805-1849, s. 2 read with the Schedule. 
3Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (A daptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
4Substituted for the “full-stop” by the Punjab Minor Canals (Amendment) Act, 1952 (XVII of 1952), published in the Punjab 
Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 7 February 1952, pp. 125-126, s. 5. 
5Added ibid, s. 5. 
6Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
7Substituted ibid ., for the words “the Government”, Article 3 read with the Sixth Schedule.  
8Substituted for the words “Crown for the purposes of the Province” by the West Pakistan Laws (Adaptation) Order, 1964, 
published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated: 3 June 1964, pp. 1805-1849, s. 2 read with the Schedule.  
9Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
compensation.– (1) The Collector may, after such publication, issue an order to the 
person causing or having control over any such obstruction to remove or modify the same 
within a time to be fixed in the order. 
(2)  The Collector may himself remove or modify the obstruction– 
(a) if the person to whom the order under sub-section (1) was issued fails to 
comply with that order within the time so fixed; and 
(b)  in any case where the obstruction is not caused or controlled by any person. 
(3)  The Collector shall determine from whom the cost of removing or modifying 
the obstruction shall be  recovered, and the amount of compensation due to any person 
injuriously affected by the removal or modification of the obstruction and the pers on by 
whom such compensation shall be payable: 
Provided that no compensation shall be awarded for an advantage obtained by 
an arbitrary or inequitable course of action. 
51.  Power of the Collector to regulate flow of water and prohibit or remove 
obstructions.– When the 
1
[Provincial Government] has by notification as provided in 
section 49 taken power to regulate  the flow of water  in any river, creek or natural 
channel or line of natural drainage it may authorise the Collector to exercise such power  
on its behalf in accordance with such rules as it may prescribe. A Collector so authorised 
may in the execution of such rules exercise all the powers conferred upon him by section 
50, and his authority shall include the power to take such action  as the 
2
[Provincial 
Government] is empowered by section 49 to take after inquiry through the Collector. Such 
authority may on every occasion be exercised without the publication of any further 
notification in the 
3
[Official Gazette]. 
52.  Powers as to the construction and maintenance of works in respect of canals 
under Schedule II.– (1) The Collector may, at any time, order the owner of any canal under 
Schedule II to– 
(a) repair and maintain, in a proper state, all or any embankments, protective 
works, reservoirs, channels, water-courses, sluices, out-lets and other works 
connected with the canal; 
(b) construct, repair and maintain, in a proper state, a suitable bridge, culvert, 
or similar work at any  place across, under, or over the canal, for the 
purpose of providing communication with any public road or thorough fare 
which was in use before the canal was made; 
(c) construct, repair and maintain, in a proper state, suitable works for the 
passage of the water of the canal across, under, or over any public road or 
thoroughfare or any canal or drainage channel which was in use before the 
canal was made; 
(d) construct, repair and maintain, in a proper state, a suitable regulator at or 
near the head of the canal where, for want of such regulator, an excessive 
supply of water may enter the canal or cause damage to it, or any crops, 
lands, roads or property in the neighbourhood. 
“Canal” as used in this sub-section does not include “water-course”. 
                                                
1Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
2Ibid. 
3Ibid., for the word “Gazette”. 
(2)  The Collector may at any time order the owner of a water-course to perform 
in respect of such water-course all or any of the acts which he may under sub-section (1) 
order the owner of a canal to perform in respect of the canal, and may direct the owner 
of the canal to cease supplying water to the water-course till the owner of the water-course 
has complied with the order. 
(3)  Every order under sub-sections (1) and (2) shall be in writing, and shall 
specify a reasonable time within which the works or repairs men tioned therein shall be 
completely executed. 
(4)  If any order made under this section is not obeyed, to the satisfaction of the 
Collector, within the time therein specified, the Collector may himself execute or complete 
the execution of, or cause to be so executed or completed, all works or repairs specified in 
the order. 
53.  Powers as to construction and maintenance of works in respect of canals 
under Schedule I.– In the case of canals included under Schedule I, the Collector may– 
(a) call upon the irrigators to discharge any of the liabilities specified in section 
52, sub-section (1), which the 
1
[Provincial Government] may have declared 
to attach to the irrigators from such canal or group of canals; or 
(b) himself arrange for the performance of such acts and recover the cost as 
provided in section 57. 
54.  Power to take possession and to construct works in cases of emergency.– (1) 
If any new work is immediately required to prevent  serious detriment to the utility of a canal, 
the Collector may, notwithstanding  anything in the Land  Acquisition Act, 1894
2
, take 
immediate possession of any land required for the construction of the work. 
(2)  When the Collector has taken possession of any land under sub-section 
(1), he shall, upon application made to him in this behal f, assess and pay compensation 
under section 55. 
(3)  In the event of sudden and serious damage or urgent risk to a canal or to 
property situate in the immediate  neighbourhood thereof, or to irrigation carried on 
therefrom, or to the public traffic, the Collector may, after giving previous notice, execute 
or cause to be executed such works as he may think necessary  in order to remedy or 
prevent such damage or risk, and may require any irrigator to furnish such labour as to 
the said Collector may seem reasonable and necessary for the immediate execution of 
such works. 
(4)  Labour furnished under this section shall be paid for at the local market rate.  
(5)  An order passed under sub-sections (3) and (4) shall be final. 
55.  Assessment of compensation.– 
3
[(1)] In assessing the amount of compensation 
to be paid under any  section  of this Act other than sections 12, 14, 21, 39 and 50, the 
Collector shall proceed under the provisions of the  Land Acquisition Act, 1894
4
, and the 
provisions of that Act  
5
[except sections  1
[18 to 22, 25 to 28], subsection (3) of section 48 
                                                
1Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
2India Act I of 1894. 
3Renumbered by the Punjab Minor Canals (Amendment) Act,  1952 (XVII of 1952), published in the Punjab Gazette 
(Extraordinary), dated: 7 February 1952, pp. 125-126, s. 6. 
4India Act I of 1894. 
5Substituted for the expression “regarding inquiries and awards b y the Collector, references to the civil courts and procedure 
thereon, apportionment of compensation, payment and appeals” by  the Punjab Minor Canals (Amendment) Act, 1952 (XVII of 
1952), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 7 February 1952, pp. 125-126, s. 6. 
and section 54] shall, as far as may be, be applicable to all proceedings under this section. 
2
[(2) An appeal shall lie to the Commissioner from an award made by the 
Collector, and to the  3
[Board of Revenue], from the ord er passed thereon by the 
Commissioner: 
Provided that no appeal shall lie to the 
4
[Board of Revenue], if the order of the 
Collector is confirmed on appeal by the Commissioner.] 
56.  Compensation for right of user or in the form of a supply of water.– With the 
consent of the parties, the Collector may, when assessing the amount of compensation to 
be paid, direct, in the case of an acquisition of land, that the property in such land shall 
remain with the owner subject to a right of user so long as the land is required for the 
purpose of the canal or water-course, compensation being awarded for the right of user 
only, or in the case of an acquisition of a canal, or of land for the purposes of a canal that 
the compensation shall take the form in whole or in part of a right to a supply of water 
from the c anal which has been acquired or f or the purposes of which land has been 
acquired. 
57.  Apportionment and recovery of the cost of land acquired or works executed.– 
(1) When any land is acquired under the provisions of section 44, or when any work is 
executed by or under the orders of  the Collector  under the provisions of section 50, 
section 52, section 53 or section 54 the cost of acquiring such land or of executing such 
work, as the case may be, shall be recoverable– 
(a) if the canal is included under Schedule II,– from the owner thereof; or 
(b) if the canal is included under Schedule I,– from the irrigators or such of them 
as are, in the opinion of the Collector, benefited or likely to be benefited by 
the acquisition or equitably liable for the whole or any part of the cost of 
executing the work or from the proceeds of any water -rate levied under 
section 29; and 
(c) if such appropriation is not contrary to the provisions of the record-of-
rights specified in section 28 of this Act, – from the fund referred to in section 
27 of this Act. 
(2)  When the cost of acquiring any land or of executing any work is, under 
the provisions of sub-section (1), recoverable from the owner of any canal or from the 
irrigators therefrom, or any of them, it shall be lawful for the Collector to apportion such 
costs as to him may seem equitable, among all or any of the persons liable for the whole or 
any portion thereof and such apportionment shall be final. 
(3)  When the cost of acquiring such land has been paid, such land, if acquired 
in full proprietary right, shall become the property of the canal-owner. 
58.  Power to regulate mills.– (1) The  5
[Provincial Government] may, by general or 
                                                                                                                                                  
1Substituted for the expression  “18 to 28, both inclusive” by the Punjab Minor Canals (Amendment) Ordinance 1985 (XII of 
1985), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 23 February 1985, s. 2.  
2Added by the Punjab Minor Canals (Amendment) Act, 1952 (XVII of 1952), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), 
dated: 7 February 1952, pp. 125-126, s. 6. 
3Substituted for the words and comma “Financial Commissioner, Revenue” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of 
Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated: 25 July 1957, pp. 709 -789, s. 
3 read with the Schedule III: it came into force on 14 October 1955. 
4Substituted for the words and comma “Financial Commissio ner, Revenue” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of 
Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 1957), published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated: 25 July 1957, pp. 709 -789, s. 
3 read with the Schedule III: it came into force on 14 October 1955. 
5Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
special order, prohibit or regulate the construction of new, and regulate the use of existing, 
mills upon canals, and the appropriation of the water of canals for working mills. 
59.  Application of sections 13 to 16 of Land Revenue Act, 1887
1
.– Except in so far 
as a contrary intention is expressed, sections 13 to 16 (both inclusive) of the  2
Punjab 
Land Revenue Act of 1887 shall apply to all proceedings under this Act. 
60.  Exclusion of jurisdiction of Civil Court except under Land Acquisition Act.– 
Save as in section 55  provided,  no Civil Court shall have jurisdiction in any matter which 
a Revenue Officer or Revenue  Court is empowered by this Act to dispose of, or take 
cognizance of the manner in which the 
3
[Provincial Government] or any Revenue Officer or 
Revenue Court exercises any powers vested in it or him by or under this Act. 
61.  Power to appoint officers to exercise  functions under this Act.– (1) The 
4
[Provincial Government] may appoint any person or any class of officials to perform any 
functions, or to exercise any powers, by this Act or the rules made thereunder conferred on 
or vested in the Collector, Commissioner, 
5
[Board of Revenue] or such Government. 
(2)  Such appointments may be made in respect of any canal or of all or any of 
the canals, situate within any specified local area. 
(3)  In all matters connected with this Act, the 
6
[Provincial Government] shall 
have and exercise over  the 
7
[Board of Revenue], the Commissioner and the Collector, 
and the 
8
[Board of Revenue] shall  have and exercise over the Commissioner and the 
Collector and the Commissioner shall have and exercise  over the Collector, the same 
authority and control as it or they respectively have and exercise over them in the general 
and revenue administration. 
62.  Powers of Collector in certain proceedings under the Act.– For the purposes of 
every inquiry made  and proceeding taken under this Act, the Collector or any other 
Revenue Officer authorised by him  in this behalf shall have power to summon and 
enforce the attendance of and examine parties and witnesses and compel the production 
of documents, and for all or any of these purposes may exercise all or any of the powers 
conferred on a Civil Court by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1882
9
, and every such inquiry 
shall, for the purposes of the  10
[Pakistan] Penal Code, be deemed to be a judicial proceeding. 
63.  Permission to owners and parties interested in any canal to object in certain 
                                                
1India Act XVII of 1887. 
2XVII of 1887, subsequently replaced by the Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1967. 
3Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
4Ibid. 
5Substituted for the words “Financial Commissioner” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI of 
1957), published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated: 25 July 1957, pp. 709-789, s. 3 read with the Schedule 
III: it came into force on 14 October 1955. 
6Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
7Substituted for the words “Financial Commissioner” by the West Pakistan (Adaptation and Repeal of Laws) Act, 1957 (XVI o f 
1957), published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated: 25 July 1957, pp. 709-789, s. 3 read with the Schedule 
III: it came into force on 14 October 1955. 
8Ibid. 
9India Act  XIV of 1882, now the Code of civil Procedure, 1908. 
10Substituted for the word “Indian” by  the Punjab Laws (Adaptation, Revision and Repeal) Act, 1954 (XV of 1955), 
published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 21 January 1955, pp. 87-108, s. 2 read with the First Schedule. 
cases.– In all cases under sections 6, 8, 11, 21, 23, 25, 30, 31, 34, 36, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 
47, 49, 50, 52, 53 and 57 of this Act, the owners and other parties interested in the canal 
shall be given an opportunity of appearing before the Collector and of showing cause to the 
contrary. 
64.  Mode of serving notices and making proclamations.– Every summons, notice, 
proclamation and  other process  issued under this Act shall, as far as may be, be 
served or made in the manner provided in that behalf in sections 20, 21 and 22 of the 
1
Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1887. 
65.  Bar of compensation where not expressly allowed.– Save as otherwise 
expressly provided in this Act, no person shall be entitled to recover any compensation for 
anything at any time done in good faith intended to be done in exercise of any power 
conferred by this Act or by the rules made thereunder. 
66.  Protection of persons acting under the Act.– No suit, prosecution or other legal 
proceeding shall lie against any person for anything done, or in good faith intended to be 
done under this Act or the rules made thereunder. 
67.  Government to be party to certain suits and proceedings.– (1) In any suit or 
proceeding in which an entry made in any record prepared under section 28 or section 35 is 
directly or indirectly called in question, the Court shall, before the final settlement of issues, 
give notice of the suit or proceeding to the  Collector, and, if moved to do so by the 
Collector, shall make the 
2
[Provincial Government] a party to the same. 
(2)  Bar of other suits against Government.– Save as provided in sub-
section (1), no suit shall lie 
3
[against the 
4
[Provincial Government] ] in respect of anything 
done by the Collector or by any person a cting under the orders of  the 
5
[Provincial 
Government], in the exercise of any power by this Act conferred on such Collector 
6
[or the 
Provincial Government]. 
68.  Power to recover water-dues, water-rates and other charges by revenue 
process.– All water-dues, water-rates and other payments at any time due by or to be 
collected from any person under any provision of this Act or under an  agreement entered 
into by the owners of the canal or the person irrigating from it and all arrears of such 
water-dues, water-rates or other payments shall be recoverable as if the same were arrears 
of land revenue. 
69.  Powers as regards canals, creeks, situate partly without the limits of 
7
[the 
areas to which this Act applies].– Any or all of the powers exercisable by the 
8
[Provincial 
                                                
1India Act XVII of 1887 was subsequently replaced by the Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1967. 
2Substituted for the words “Secretary of State for India in Council” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) 
Order, 1937, published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75 -344, Article 3 read with the Sixth 
Schedule. 
3ibid., for the words “against the Government”. 
4Substituted for the word “Crown” by the West Pakistan Laws (Adaptation) Order, 1964, published in the Gazette of West 
Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated: 3 June 1964, pp. 1805-1849, s. 2 read with the Schedule.  
5Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
6Substituted ibid., for the words “or Government”, Article 3 read with the Sixth Schedule. 
7Substituted for the words “the Punjab” by the Punjab Minor Canals (West Pakistan Amendment) Act, 1963 (VIII of 1963), 
published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated: 15 June 1963, pp. 2627-2628, s. 4. 
8Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
Government] under this Act in respect of any canal, river, or creek, may be exercised by 
such Government in the case of any canal, river, or creek, which is or may at any time be 
situate partly within and partly  without the limits of 
1
[the areas to which this Act applies] 
and in respect of so much of any such canal, river, or creek, as is within those limits; and in 
the case of any such canal, river, or creek, the 
2
[Provincial Government] may by notification, 
and notwithstanding the provisions o f section 2, declare what sections of this Act shall be 
applicable thereto. 
70.  Powers exercisable in cases of urgency with regard to canals situate beyond 
3
[the areas to which this Act applies].– In respect  of any  canal situate beyond the 
limits of 
4
[the areas to which this Act applies] the 
5
[Provincial Government] may, by 
notification published in the official Gazette, declare that the powers exercisable  by a 
Collector under section 54 may under the circumstances there specified be exercised by the 
Collector or other authorised officer within the limits of 
6
[the areas to which this Act applies] 
for all or any of the purposes of such canal. 
71.  Offences under the Act.– Whoever without proper authority and voluntarily does 
any of the acts following, that is to say,– 
(1)  damages, alters, enlarges, or obstructs any canal; 
(2)  interferes with, increases or diminishes the supply of water in, or the flow 
of water from, through, over or under any canal; 
(3)  interferes with or alters the flow of water in any river, creek or stream so as 
to endanger, damage or render less useful any canal; 
(4)  being responsible for the maintenance of any water-course or using a water-
course, neglects to take proper precautions for the prevention of waste of the water thereof, 
or interferes with the authorized distribution of  the water therefrom or uses such water in 
an unauthorized manner; 
(5)  corrupts or fouls the water of any canal so as to render it less  fit for the 
purposes for which it is ordinarily used; 
(6)  being liable to furnish labour under this Act, fails, without reasonable cause, 
to supply or to assist in supplying the labour required of him; 
(7)  being liable to supply labour under this Act, neglects, without  reasonable 
cause, so to supply and to continue to supply labour; 
(8)  destroys or removes any level-mark or water-gauge fixed by the authority 
of a public servant; 
(9)  passes or causes animals or vehicles to pass on or across any of the 
works, banks or channels of a canal contrary to rules made under this Act after he has 
been desired to desist therefrom;  
                                                
1Substituted for the words “the Punjab” by the Punjab Minor Canals (West Pakistan Amendment) Act, 1963 (VIII of 1963), 
published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated: 15 June 1963, pp. 2627-2628, s. 4. 
2Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
3Substituted for the words “the Punjab” by the Punjab Minor Canals (West Pakistan Amendment) Act, 1963 (VIII of 1963), 
published in the Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated: 15 June 1963, pp. 2627-2628, s. 4. 
4Ibid. 
5Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
6Substituted by the Punjab Minor Canals (West Pakistan Amendment) Act, 1963 (VIII of 1963), published in the Gazette of 
West Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated: 15 June 1963, pp. 2627-2628, s. 4. 
(10) disobeys any order  or proclamation issued under this Act, or commits any 
breach of any rule made thereunder; 
shall be liable on conviction before a Magistrate of such class as the 
1
[Provincial 
Government] directs in this behalf, to a fine not exceeding fifty rupees or to imprisonment 
not exceeding one month, or to both. 
72.  Power to arrest without a warrant.– Any person in charge of or employed  
upon any canal managed  by 
2
[servants of the State] or by a 
3
[District Council], may 
remove from the lands or buildings belonging thereto, or may take into custody without a 
warrant, and take forthwith before a Magistrate, or to the nearest police station, to be dealt 
with according to law any person who, within his view commits any of the following 
offences:– 
(1)  wilfully damages or obstructs any canal; 
(2)  without proper  authority interferes with the supply of, or flow of water in or 
from any canal or in any river or stream, so as to endanger,  damage or render  less useful 
any canal. 
73.  Definition of ‘canal’ for purposes of sections 
4
[71 and 72].– In sections 71 and 
72 the word ‘canal’ shall (unless there be something repugnant in the subject or context) 
be deemed to include also all  lands occupied for the pur poses of canals and all 
buildings, machinery, fences, gates and other erections, trees, crops, plantations  or other 
produce upon such lands. 
74.  Power to make rules.– (1) The 
5
[Provincial Government] may make rules, 
consistent with this Act, regulating  any matter in regard to which any power is, by this 
Act, conferred upon the 
6
[Provincial Government], or upon any 
7
[servant of the State], and 
generally to carry out the purposes of this Act. 
(2)  Without prejudice to the generality of the power conferred by sub-section (1), 
rules made under this  Act may provide for the levy of a rate imposed upon land in 
consideration of its protection from sand or flood. 
(3)  All rules made under sub -section (1) shall be so made after previous 
publication in the Gazette. 
 
                                                
1Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
2Substituted for the words “servants of the  Crown” by the West Pakistan Laws (Adaptation) Order, 1964, published in the 
Gazette of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated: 3 June 1964, pp. 1805 -1849, s. 2 read with the Schedule. They were earlier 
substituted for the words “Government officers” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, 
published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 3 read with the Sixth Schedule. 
3Substituted for the words “District Board” by the Punjab Law s (Amendment) Ordinance 2018 (IV of 2018), published in the 
Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 28 May 2018, pp. 8259-8267, s. 2 read with the Schedule. 
4Misprinted in the original Gazette as “65 and 66”. 
5Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
6Substituted for the words “Local Government” by the  Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, published 
in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 4 read with the Table of General Adaptations. 
7Substituted for the words “officer of the Crown” by the West Pakistan Laws (Adaptation) Order, 1964, published in the Gazette 
of West Pakistan (Extraordinary), dated: 3 June 1964, pp. 1805 -1849, s. 2 read with the Schedule. The words “of the Crown” 
were earlier substituted for the words “of Government” by the Government of India (Adaptation of Indian Laws) Order, 1937, 
published in the Gazette of India (Extraordinary), dated: 1 April 1937, pp. 75-344, Article 3 read with the Sixth Schedule. 
 
SCHEDULE I 
 
Canals District 
1
[* *  * * * * * * * *]  
Hajiwah … … … … … Multan. 
 
2
Montgomery. 
Kurram Canals … … … …  
Chachali … … … 
Adwala … … … 
Baroch … … … 
Lunda … … … 
Mitha … … …  (Hill torrents) … Mianwali. 
Rakka … … … 
Jaba … … … 
Vahi (including Truppi and Golar) … 
Trimmun … … … 
Bhati Hill Torrent … … … … 
Kanwan Hill Torrent  … … … … 
Sangarh ditto  … … … … 
Mahoi  ditto … … … …  
Vehoa  ditto … … … … 
Sori  ditto    … … … …  
Vador  ditto    … … … …   
Sakhi Sarwar Hill Torrent  … … … Dera Ghazi Khan. 
Mithawan ditto …  … … … 
Khosra ditto …  … … … 
Kaha ditto …  … … … 
Chachar ditto …  … … … 
Chezgi  ditto …  … … … 
Pitok ditto …  … … … 
Northern Sori ditto …  … … … 
Southern Sori ditto …  … … … 
                                                
1Entries  from  “Rangoi —Hissar”  to  “Kiran —Gurdaspur”  were  omitted  by the Punjab Laws (Adaptation, Revision and 
Repeal) Act, 1954 (XV of 1955), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 21 January 1955, pp. 87 -108, s. 2 
read with the First Schedule. 
2Now ‘Sahiwal’. 
SCHEDULE II 
 
Canals   District 
1
[* * * * *  *  * ]  
 
Piranwala ... 
Amir Chandwala ... 
Nunanwala ... 
Sultan Muhammadwala 
Nabbiwala ... 
Chaharmiwala ... Left bank of Jhelum ... ... 
Malik Sahib Khanwala  
Mekananwala ... Shahpur. 
Malik Jahan Khanwala 
Sarfraz Khanwala ...  
Jhammatanwala ... 
Nathuwala ... 
 
Makhdumanwala ... 
Daimwala ... Right bank of Chenab  ... ... 
Muhkamdinwala ... 
 
Ahmadabad  ... ... ... ... ... Jhelum. 
 
 
 
 
                                                
1Entries from “Chakarpur Bund —Gurgaon” to “ Natha Sing of Jhandwal’s Canal —Hoshiarpur” by  the Punjab Laws 
(Adaptation, Revision and Repeal) Act, 1954 (XV of 1955), published in the Punjab Gazette (Extraordinary), dated: 21 
January 1955, pp. 87-108, s. 2 read with the First Schedule.