FARMERS' ORGANISATIONS
2) Section 9 shall mutatis mutandis apply to subsequent meetings.
45. Functions of an FO: -
1) The functions of an FO shall be to -
a. operate and maintain the parts of the irrigation system conferred on it to ensure equitable/judicious distribution of water including small and tail end farmers, to supply non-agricultural users and to guarantee minimum drinking water;
b. operate and maintain the parts of the drainage and sewerage system conferred on it;
c. carry out flood protection and maintain infrastructure within its command area;
d. advise Local Councils on any matter strategic or tactical, related to its role and functions;
e. fulfil any other function conferred on it by this Ordinance or by any subsequent enactment;
2) In fulfilling the functions set out in sub-section (1), the FO shall promote and facilitate as much as possible its member WCAs and member DBGs. It shall delegate its tasks to these WCAs and DBGs as much as possible and act following their advice and decision.
3) The General Body of the FO may decide not to execute a decision of a WCA or a DBG if there are not sufficient means available within the business plan or otherwise the decisions of a WCA or DBG would have a negative effect on the system at FO or AWB level.
4) If the decision of the WCA or DBG is not complied with by the FO within two months after decision, the matter shall on appeal of the WCA or DBG be liable to arbitration by the Regulatory Authority.
46. Tasks of an FO –
In order to perform its role and functions an FO shall perform the following tasks:-
Strategy –
a. to develop, on a periodic basis, plans for improvement of irrigation, drainage and integrated water management and flood protection within its command and catchment areas setting goals and objectives, formulating implementation policies and identifying priority and other actions;
b. to formulate annually a Business Plan setting out its proposals for its own activities for the following five financial years.
Operations and Maintenance –
c. to receive irrigation water from the SIDA or the AWB concerned at the head of the distributary or minor and to supply the same to the WCAs and other water users, if any, ensuring in particular that the interests of tail enders and small farmers are protected and ensuring maximum drinking water for the use of villages;
d. to receive drainage effluent from the WCAs or DBGs and other water users, if any, and to convey the same through collector drains to the designated nodal points of the drainage system under command of the AWB or the SIDA;
e. to operate, maintain, protect and improve the irrigation, drainage and flood protection infrastructure comprising of, as the case may be, a minor, distributary(ies) and collector drain(s) together with any public water management structures thereon through mobilization of beneficiaries (self-help), contractors or the engagement of a Government service;
f. to collect the water service charges approved by the General Body, and other dues, if any, from the water users and users of the drainage systems, including the costs charged for supply of irrigation water and conveyance and/or disposal of drainage effluent by the AWB and the SIDA and surcharge for late payment on such dues and other charges shall be recovered as arrears of land revenue under the Sindh Land Revenue Act 1967;
g. to reduce irrigation water supply services to WCA watercourses upon non-payment by one or more of its water users of due water charges;
