In any district in which a canal or drainage-work is constructed, maintained or projected by the State Government, the State Government, may, if it thinks fit, direct the Collector --
         (a) to ascertain the proprietors, sub-proprietors or farmers whose villages or estates are or will be in the judgment of the Collector, benefited by such canal or drainage -work, and
         (b) to set down in a list, having due regard to the circumstances of the districts and of the several proprietors, sub-proprietors or farmers, the number of labourers which shall be furnished by any of the said persons, jointly or severally, from any such village or estate, for employment on any such canal or drainage-work when required as hereinafter provided.
     The Collector may, from time to time, add to or alter such list or any part thereof.