Bill to curb use of ground water

Waking up to the deepening crisis of unregulated extraction of ground water across the country causing fast depletion of water tables, the Union water resource, river development and Ganga rejuvenation ministry has come up with a draft bill to restrict without authorisation the “abstraction of ground water for industrial use or infrastructure projects.”

No national-level law has been enacted so far to regulate the use of ground water in the country.

The proposed legislation aims to control the unscrupulous use of ground water for commercial activities. It would also replace the current British era Easement Act, 1882 that provides every landowner with the right to collect and dispose, within his own limits, all water under the land and on the surface of their property, giving them unchallenged power over ground water.

“If successful, the law would be extended to other uses — domestic and irrigation as well,” sources in the water ministry said.

The draft bill also emphasises on making authorisation to extract in accordance with Groundwater Security Plan to be drafted by state governments, ensuring “sufficient quantity of safe water for life and sustainable livelihoods by every person.”