Permission for Abstracting Ground Water to be Accorded Only for the Purpose of Drinking Water
Port Blair, Aug 2: The Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman, Smt. Veditha Reddy, IAS, held a meeting with stakeholders of Central Ground Water Authority and bulk water suppliers in South Andaman District today.
The Deputy Commissioner (SA) along with Sub-Divisional Magistrate, South Andaman and the officers of CGWA Cell of Central Ground Water Board, Eastern Region, Kolkata apprised the procedures to obtain permission for operation of bore well and also briefed about the do's and don'ts of ground water extraction. It was informed that permission to abstract ground water through any energized means will not be accorded for any purpose other than drinking water. The permission would be granted by the Authorized Officer in consultation with the advisory committee constituted for this purpose.
DC, SA emphasized the unprecedented water crisis witnessed during this summer due to illegal ground water extractions and also briefed that
- The provisions of the environmental compensation can be imposed based on groundwater abstraction, type of project and category of block in accordance with CGWA Guidelines 2020 dated 24/9/2020 and subsequent amendments.
- Minimum penalty would be Rs 1,00,000/- irrespective of quantity, type and category of block to be imposed for illegal extraction and environmental compensation charges as existing guidelines would be applicable depending on actual withdrawal.
- Further for taking punitive action and Prosecution District Magistrate/ Sub Divisional Magistrates of each Revenue District/Sub-division as Authorized Officers, have been delegated the power to:
- Seal illegal wells,
- Disconnect electricity supply to the energized well,
- Launch prosecution against offenders etc.
- Grievance redressal related to ground water.
- As per the guidelines for Ground Water abstraction, for bulk water supply, all those users abstracting ground water and using it for supply as bulk water supplies through private tankers will now mandatorily seek No Objection Certificate for ground water abstraction.
Documents to be submitted with the application
(i) Proof of ownership of land of size 200 sqm or more on which abstraction structure is installed.
(ii) Proof of ownership/Lease of tanker
(iii) Groundwater quality report.
(iv) General Conditions to be followed by the bulk water suppliers
(a) All tankers shall be labelled “Potable Water”.
(b) Abstraction structures shall be fitted with tamper proof digital water flow meter with telemetry.
(c) Flow meters shall be calibrated once in a year from an authorized agency.
(d) Water shall be used for drinking/domestic purpose only.
(e) Water quality being supplied by the bulk water supplier shall be adhered to BIS norms for drinking and domestic purpose.
(f) Filling of tanker shall be done only within the premises.
The Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman emphasized all the bulk water suppliers that they should mandatorily register themselves with the CGWA. The link for registration with Central Ground Water Authority for obtaining No-Objection Certificate for ground water extraction is http://cgwa-noc.gov.in. As on date as per the list provided by CWGA, only 17 operators have obtained the No-Objection Certificates, list of which is available in the website http://cgwa.gov.in.
Further, it was also directed that Bore well machine operators shall submit report to the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate regarding the setting up and operation of portable drilling rig to drill wells anywhere in the District.
It was also informed that 1 month time period is being given to the bulk water suppliers for registering and obtaining No-objection certificate from the CGWA failing which punitive action will be initiated against the defaulters.
The Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman further reiterated that general public and all ground water users may also be made aware that the purchase of water from registered bulk water suppliers should be strictly ensured.