Section 17. Constitution of Project Level Association.

(1) In the area delineated as an area of operation of Project Level Association (PLA) under section 16, a Project Level Association shall be constituted by the Canal Level Associations functioning within the project. Such Association shall be registered in the prescribed manner. (2) All Canal Level Associations and Lift Irrigation Water Users Associations on reservoir within the project, represented by Directors of their respective Managing Committees, shall constitute the General Body of Project Level Association and shall have right to vote and elect the Managing Committee of the Project Level Association in such manner as may be prescribed. (3) After the operation and maintenance of the delineated area is handed over to the Project Level Association, water supply to water users in such delineated area shall be through the respective Project Level Association. (4) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), the State Government may, having regard to the administrative convenience, for reasons to be recorded in writing, authorise an association at any level, to function as a Project Level Association in respect of a project. On such authorisation, the provisions of sub-section (2) and other provisions of the Act applicable to the Project Level Association shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to such association.