Team Herald
PANJIM: The State government has notified an amendment to the Ground Water Regulation Act, proposing to levy a fine to the tune of Rs 10 lakh on those polluting or contaminating groundwater by injecting treated or untreated water into the aquifer systems.
“If any person or user pollutes or contaminates groundwater by injecting treated or untreated water into the aquifer systems or obstructs the groundwater officer or any other person authorised by him to exercise the powers under this Act, shall be punishable with a fine of rupees ten lakh and the well, if any, sunk, shall be filled and permanently sealed and the expenditure incurred thereto shall be recovered from such person/user,” the Act says.
The Act has also been amended to levy a fine of upto Rs ten lakh on persons who indulge in illegal sinking of bore wells or transportation of ground water in violation of any of the terms and conditions stipulated in the permission granted for transportation of ground water.
The State Legislative Assembly on July 31, had passed the amendment to the Ground Water Regulation Act, imposing hefty fine on the offences of illegal construction of wells and illegal transportation of groundwater. The amendment was assented by the Governor on August 29.