''In this Act, unless there is something repugnant in the context, the term “ public water ” shall mean a collection of water, whether running or still, which is not the subject of private property exclusively, situate on, or flowing over or to, any land to which the State has any title in possession or in future, or in respect of which the Government has a right to use water for obtaining energy or for mining purposes. When rules made under this Act prescribe licences for the use of any public water for obtaining energy or for mining operations, no person shall use, or attempt to use, any such water for any such purpose, or pollute or obstruct the flow of any such water, or discharge therein any mining refuse, except under and in accordance with the terms of such licence or any grant, lease, or licence from the President of the Union of, or in respect of. any land...''