Gujarat Governor Kamla Beniwal today gave assent to the controversial Irrigation and Drainage Bill 2013, which proposes stringent penal actions against its violation.
"The Governor has given assent to the bill which was passed by the assembly on February 27," an official from Legislative Affairs Department told PTI.
The new Act will replace Gujarat Irrigation Act, 1879.
Opposition Congress and Gujarat Parivartan Party (GPP) had opposed the bill and Congress MLAs had walked out of the assembly, terming it the bill as anti-farmers.
Among other things, it provides for appointment of Canal Officers with wide powers, including the power to even detain a person if he/she violates the Act.
The Act is meant for regulation of irrigation schemes and water distribution. It makes it mandatory for farmers to apply for a licence from the Canal Officer for digging tubewell/ borewell exceeding the prescribed depth.
Penalties include imprisonment upto six months or fine upto Rs 10,000.
The main objective was to increase the "performance efficiency of irrigation schemes", Water Resources Minister Babu Bokhiria had said while introducing the bill.
Former Chief Minister and GPP leader Keshubhai Patel had slammed the bill, especially the "arbitrary" powers of Canal Officer. "This bill brands farmers as thief," he had said.
A Congress delegation led by Leader of the Opposition Shankarsinh Vaghela had met the Governor and requested her not to clear the bill. Congress has warned of an agitation over the issue.
