Porvorim: Goa Legislative Assembly on Wednesday evening passed amendment to the ground water regulation act, imposing hefty fine on the offences of illegal construction of wells and illegal transportation of ground water.
State Water Resources Department minister Subhash Shirodkar moved the amendment to the Goa Ground Water Regulation Act, 2002 which was opposed by the opposition benches comprising Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Congress MLA Carlos Alvares Ferreira and Goa Forward party MLA Vijai Sardesai.
The statement of objects and reasons of the Bill mentions that the present quantum of fines as provided in the Goa Ground Water Regulation Act, 2002 are not effective to deter the activities of illegal sinking/construction of wells and illegal transportation of ground water.
“There is an urgent need to protect ground water aquifer from pollution and/or contamination. Therefore, the Bill seeks to amend clause (B) of section 17 of the said Act so as to enhance the quantum of fines,” it reads.
The government said that the water quality of several wells in the State, especially in the urban areas and in the industrial estates, have been deteriorating due to direct or indirect injection of pollutants into the aquifers.
“Many such incidents have come to light wherein industrial affluent was directly released/pumped into the aquifer,” it added.
The Bill pointed out that Union ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation in pursuance of the directions issued by the National Green Tribunal, New Delhi has notified guidelines to regulate and control ground water extraction in India in the notification dated September 24, 2020.
As per the provisions contained in the clause 16.0 of the said Guidelines a penalty of Rs ten lakh is to be levied for injection of treated/ untreated water into the aquifer systems.
The Bill which was passed in Goa legislative Assembly on Wednesday mentions that fine of Rs 5 lakh for the first offence and Rs 10 lakh for the second and subsequent offences of illegal sinking
of a bore well/ transportation 15 of ground water in violation of any of the terms and conditions stipulated in the permission granted for transportation of ground water.
The Bill also envisages that if anyone obstructs the Ground Water Officer or any other person authorized by him to exercise the powers under this Act, he shall be punishable for the first offence, with fine which may extend to rupees five thousand and for the second and subsequent offence, with fine which may extend upto rupees ten thousand, every time and the well shall be sealed by the Ground Water Officer.
Goa Forward Party MLA Vijai Sardesai opposing the Bill on the floor of the House said that the intent to amend the Bill is not bad but it may cause into corruptions as hefty fines are prescribed in it.
