17ARevocation or suspension etc of licence

17A Revocation or suspension etc of licence

17A Revocation or suspension etc of licence

(1) If at any time during the currency of a licence the Ministerial Corporation is satisfied that—

(a) the holder of the licence has conserved, diverted, taken or used any quantity of water in excess of the quantity authorised by the licence,

(b) any land has been irrigated as to an area in excess of that authorised by the licence,

(c) the holder of the licence has used the licensed work for a purpose other than that authorised by the licence,

(d) the holder of the licence has contravened or failed to comply with any of the terms, limitations or conditions to which the licence is subject,

(e) any water diverted, taken or used by the holder of the licence is not being beneficially used or is being wasted, or

(f) beneficial use is not being made of the licensed work,

the Ministerial Corporation may serve on the holder of the licence a notice that, after the expiration of a period specified in the notice, the licence will be revoked, suspended or modified as indicated in the notice, and where any such notice is served, unless the Ministerial Corporation annuls or withdraws the notice before the expiration of the period so specified, the licence shall, on the expiration of that period, be deemed to be revoked, suspended or modified, as the case may be.

(2) If in the opinion of the Ministerial Corporation there are circumstances which render it necessary or expedient—

(a) that any licence should be suspended or modified,

(b) that the quantity of water authorised to be taken under any licence be reduced, or

(c) that a right held under any licence for the taking of water for any purpose from a river, lake or section of a river should be restricted or suspended,

the Ministerial Corporation may serve on the holder of the licence a notice to that effect, and where any such notice is served, the licence shall be deemed to be suspended or modified, or the quantity of water reduced or, as the case may be, the right restricted or suspended, according to the tenor of the notice.

(3) If the Ministerial Corporation is satisfied that the holder of a licence has failed to comply with the terms of a notice served by the Ministerial Corporation whereby—