Section 16. Application by persons desiring to use water

(1) Any person desiring to use the water of any irrigation work may apply in writing to the divisional or sub-divisional irrigation officer requesting him to construct or improve a water course at the cost of the applicant. (2) The application shall state the works to be undertaken, their approximate estimated cost, or the amount which the applicants are willing to pay for the same, or whether they engage to pay the actual cost as settled by the Divisional Irrigation Officer, and how the payment is to be made. (3) When the assent of the Superintending Irrigation Officer is given to such application, all the applicants shall, after the application has been duly attested before the Collector, be jointly and severally liable for the cost of such works to the extent mentioned therein. (4) Any amount becoming due under the terms of such application and not paid to the divisional irrigation officer, or the person authorized by him to receive the same, on or before the date on which it becomes due, shall on the demand of such officer, be recoverable by the Collector, as if it were an arrear of land revenue.