NATHA SINGH Vs. CHIEF ENGINEER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This judgment will dispose of two petitions, Civil Writ No. 2080 of 1966, Natha Singh and another v. Chief Engineer, Central, Punjab Irrigation, Chandigarh and Civil Writ No. 2081 of 1966, Raja Singh and others v. Chief Engineer, Central, Punjab Irrigation, Chandigarh, as they are directed against the same order.

(2.) The petitioners in Civil Writ No. 2080 of 1966 are landowners of village Giani, tehsil and district Bhatinda. They alongwith other landowners of the village have been irrigating their lands from RD. 42110 Kewal Distributary since 1964. The area of the landowners of this village was ordered to be transferred from the Kewal Distributary to Giana Distributary, by order dated August 30, 1966, by the respondent.

(3.) The petitioners in Civil Writ No. 2081 of 1966 are residents of village Takhatmal, Dasumalkhana and Giana and own canal irrigated land there. Their lands are irrigated from outlet No. RD. 3, 12, 110-R, which is a direct outlet from Bhakra Main Line. This outlet was made in the year 1963 because the Chief Engineer at that time found that the irrigation at the tails of Kewal and Giana Distributaries was not sufficient due to poor command. In order to redress the grievances of the landowners and share-holders, this outlet was sanctioned directly from the Second Bhakra Main Line. By the same impugned order dated August 30, 1966, the direct outlet No. 3, 12, 110R was ordered to be closed with effect from October 1, 1966.