Abstract

The Madras Irrigation Bill. The question of defining the limited to the rights enjoyed by cultivators. Zamindars and Government in regard to flowing water in rivers,canals,channels and distributaries has been a matter of contention for several years.The Irrigation Cess amendment Act passed in 1900 caused no little stir among the cultivators. The judgement of the Lords of the Privy Council in what is known is known as the Urlam case set the authorities a thinking and in 1923.the then low Member the late Hon'ble Sir K.Srinivas Ayyangar introduced a Government Bill, the main principlesof which were, it was alleged at thetime.based on cationalisation of all water sources and the utilization of the surplus for the benefit of the community But the majority of the Elected representatives in the Legislative Council found several defects and the bill was thrown out. Subsequently the present Law Members Hon'ble Mr.C.P.RamaswamiAyyar reintroduced it early this year with considerable alterations to sent the wishes of the legislators ,The bill was referred to a select committee which submitted its report with commendable expeditiousness. The Council discussed this threadbare in its sessions for four months and finally passed it this month. We home it will in due course receive the assent of their Excelllencies, the Governor and the Viceroy.We cannothowever pretend that even as now passed the bill has no defects We yet hope that remedies"ill be found as time progresses and the Act will confer lasting benefit to the toiling ryot population.

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