Primary law, Tamil Nadu land law
The Parambikulam-Aliyar Project (Regulation of Water-Supply) Act, 1993
The Government of Tamil Nadu, through the Law Department, published the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project (Regulation of Water-Supply) Act, 1993, Act 20 of 1993, effective from 1 January 1993. The Act authorises seasonal regulation of agricultural water supply across four zones covering 3,77,152 acres in the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project area in Coimbatore and Periyar districts.
What the Act governs
The Parambikulam-Aliyar Project (Regulation of Water-Supply) Act, 1993 governs agricultural water distribution from the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project. The project includes the Parambikulam Main Canal, Udumalpet Canal and High Level Canal in the Palar Basin, and the Pollachi Canal, Vettaikaranpudur Canal, Sethumadai Canal and Aliyar Feeder Canal in the Aliyar Basin, together with their distributaries.
The Act applies to Coimbatore and Periyar districts. It was introduced after the Government decided to divide the project area into four zones, with irrigation provided to each zone once in two years, instead of the earlier three-zone arrangement providing irrigation once in eighteen months.
Who may be affected
The Parambikulam-Aliyar Project (Regulation of Water-Supply) Act, 1993 may affect owners and other people with an interest in agricultural land within the project ayacut. The Act defines an owner broadly to include any person having an interest in land.
The Schedule identifies four zones covering a total of 3,77,152 acres. The listed areas include Pollachi, Udumalpet, Palladam and Tiruppur in Coimbatore district, and Kangeyam and Dharapuram in Periyar district.
Key provisions
The Parambikulam-Aliyar Project (Regulation of Water-Supply) Act, 1993 provides that:
- The Government may regulate agricultural water supply seasonally by notification, after consulting the Chief Engineer (Irrigation) or another officer or authority considered necessary.
- Regulation may operate despite an existing law, court decision, government order, custom, agreement or usage relating to inclusion of ayacuts or water supply.
- Decisions must consider the public interest, the maximum possible agricultural production from extending water to more land, and the benefit of including backward and drought-prone areas.
- The Government may authorise an officer not below the rank of Chief Engineer (Irrigation) to exercise water regulation powers, subject to specified restrictions, government control and revision.
- Courts cannot entertain suits or applications seeking an injunction or interim order to stop water regulation proceedings under the Act or its rules.
- Good-faith actions taken under the Act receive protection from specified legal proceedings.
- The Government may amend the Schedule by notification, prospectively or retrospectively.
Source caution
The supplied copy was furnished by PRS Legislative Research, which states that it has not independently verified the text and that the copy may not include later amendments. Readers needing authoritative text should consult the relevant state department, the latest government publication or the gazette notification.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Does the Act apply to agricultural land in the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project area?
Yes. It regulates agricultural water supply to 3,77,152 acres divided into four zones in the project area in Coimbatore and Periyar districts.
How often was each zone intended to receive irrigation?
The Government decided on a four-zone arrangement providing irrigation to each zone once in two years.
Can the Government delegate the power to regulate water supply?
Yes. The Government may authorise an officer not below the rank of Chief Engineer (Irrigation), subject to restrictions, conditions, government control and revision.
Can a court issue an interim order stopping water regulation proceedings?
The Act states that no court shall entertain a suit or application for an injunction or interim order restraining proceedings for regulating water supply under the Act or its rules.
