Rules & Regulations

These Rules and Regulations establish standard operating guidelines for water allocation, canal maintenance, farmer registry, GIS land mapping, and fee collection across all irrigation schemes managed under the Services 4 Irrigation platform.

1. Purpose and Scope

The objective of these regulations is to ensure transparent, equitable, and sustainable irrigation water delivery, protect communal water infrastructure, and foster cooperative relationships between scheme managers, block leaders, and farmers.

• These rules apply to all registered farmers, tenant administrators, block chiefs, collectors, and field operators.
• Compliance with seasonal contracts and water allocation schedules is mandatory for all water recipients.

2. Land Registration & GIS Parcel Mapping

Accurate field data is the foundation of fair water distribution and accurate billing:

• Mandatory Land Parcel Survey: Every parcel of farm land receiving irrigation water must be mapped in the system with exact GPS/GIS perimeter polygon boundaries.
• Boundary Verification: Any change in parcel ownership, division of inherited plots, or boundary modification must be surveyed and validated by the designated Block Chief.
• Unregistered Land Policy: Water delivery cannot be initiated to parcels that are not recorded and linked to an active seasonal contract.

3. Water Distribution & Seasonal Scheduling

Water distribution operates on a strictly scheduled rotation based on seasonal requirements (Dry Season / Wet Season):

• Turn-Based Allocation: Water will be delivered according to the published block schedule. Farmers must prepare their paddy field inlets prior to their designated time window.
• Prohibition of Unauthorized Siphoning: Farmers must not open gates, install unauthorized diesel pumps, or breach canal banks outside their designated schedule.
• Drought & Emergency Protocols: In events of water scarcity, the Scheme Management retains the right to ration water based on crop vulnerability and communal priority.

4. Contracts, Invoicing & Payment Regulations

To support ongoing pump operation, canal maintenance, and fuel costs, farmers agree to the following financial terms:

• Seasonal Contracts: A formal contract must be executed prior to the start of each irrigation season detailing parcel codes, service types, and total fee obligations.
• Official Invoicing: Only invoices generated through the official multi-tenant system bearing a verified Barcode or QR code are valid.
• Payment Methods: Payments may be made via verified digital KHQR scanning or in cash to an authorized collector. Every payment must be acknowledged by an instant digital receipt.
• Payment Deadlines: Invoices must be settled within the agreed season deadline. Partial payments must be documented with an official justification.
• Default Consequences: Parcels with outstanding balances from preceding seasons may be suspended from water allocations until accounts are settled.

5. Infrastructure & Canal Protection

Canals, ditches, and control gates are communal assets that must be maintained collaboratively:

• Secondary & Tertiary Ditch Maintenance: Farmers sharing a terminal ditch are collectively responsible for clearing weeds, sediment, and silt prior to season opening.
• Environmental Safety: No pesticide containers, chemical waste, plastic bottles, or animal carcasses may be disposed of in or near irrigation waterways.
• Livestock Grazing: Heavy livestock must be kept away from earthen canal embankments to prevent erosion and bank collapse.

6. Dispute Resolution Protocol

Disputes regarding water timing, boundary overlaps, or fee calculations must follow this resolution process:

• Stage 1 - Block Level: Initial complaints should be presented to the respective Block Chief for mediation.
• Stage 2 - Scheme Committee: If unresolved within 5 days, the matter is escalated to the Scheme Management Committee with reference to GIS map records.
• Final Determination: The Scheme Committee's technical determination based on GIS coordinates and verified flow rates is final and binding.

7. Penalties and Enforcement

Violations of these regulations will be subject to progressive disciplinary actions:

• First Infraction: Written warning and restitution for any canal damages caused.
• Second Infraction: Fine equivalent to the estimated cost of wasted water plus mandatory canal restoration.
• Severe or Repeated Infractions: Immediate cancellation of seasonal irrigation service and potential legal referral under national water resource laws.