People who misuse Groundwater exorbitantly should use it more diligently from now, otherwise, they will be penalised. In fact, from now onwards the waste or recklessly use potable groundwater by any person or any organization will be considered as a punishable offense.
Earlier, there was no penalty in India for water wastage. Apart from the tanks of the houses, many times the civic bodies that supply water from the tanks to different places also wastewater.
According to a new directive by the Central Ground Water Authority, misuse of potable water will be a punishable offense in India with a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh and a jail term of up to 5 years.
CGWA in its two-points order addressing the authorities and all the people of the country on October 8, has said:
- The civic bodies concerned with the date of issue of this order, which handles the water supply in the States and Union Territories and is referred to by the Jal Board, Jal Nigam, Water Works Department, Municipal Corporation, Municipality, Development Authority, Panchayat or called by other names, will ensure that the potable water from the ground will not be misused. They must develop a mechanism to follow this order and punitive measures will be taken against those who violate the order.
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- No person in the country can unnecessarily use or waste potable water sourced from groundwater sources.
CGWA issued these orders by using the powers of Section 5 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to curb waste and unnecessary use of water.
A Petition was filed in the NGT
The National Green Tribunal, for the first time, heard a petition seeking a ban on water wastage by Rajendra Tyagi and NGO ‘Friends’ on July 24, 2019. However, after more than a year, in this case, the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation has issued an order complying with the order of the NGT of October 15, 2020.