Bihar Ground Water (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) Act (2006)

fi!~ !Jore" (4ltilfJj(Ui), 29 ;;r,r,.it 2007 2 3 [;BihJl.r Act 6; IOO'!') THE BntAR GROUND WATER (REGULATION AND CONTROL OJ' DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT) ACT, 2006 !A.'R ' ~c.'il To regulate and control the Developmcm and Management of Ground Water and matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. Be it enacted by Lhe Legislature of the State ofBibar in the fifty­ seventh year of the Republic oflndia, as foUows: CHAPTER - I · , PRELI/AINARY 1. SHORT TITLE, EXTENT Ai~D COMMENCEMENT.­ ( I) This Act may be called the Bibar Ground Water (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) Acl, 2006. (2) It shall extend to the whole or the State ofBihar. (3) It shall come into force on such date as the State Government may, by notification in the OfficiaJ Gazette, appoint and different dates may be appointed for different areas of the State provided that different provisions of the Act may be notified under this section to be applicable from different dates. 2. DEFrNITIONS. 1 n this Act unless the context otherwise requires: 24 fqrt ~ (c11t)lli<ot) , 29 ~..t\' ~0 07 (a) "Act" means 1he Bihar Ground Water (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) Act, 2006. (h) " Artificial Recharge lo Ground Water" means the process by wh,ch ground water reservoir is augmented at a nlle exccc:din1:1 thal under narural condition of rcplenishmem. (c) "Authority" means Bihor State Ground Water Authority established in accordance with the provisions ofU1is AcL (d} " Drinking Waler" means water for consumption or use by human popula1ion for drinking and for other domestic purposes, which shall include consumption or use of water for cooking, bathing, washing, cleaning and other day to day activities. It shall also include water meant for consumption by the livestock. (e) "Government" means the Govemmenl of the Stale of Bihar. (f) "Ground Water" means the water which exists below the ground surface in the zone of saturation and can be extracted through wells or any other means or emerges as springs and base nows in streams and rivers. (g) "Municipality" means an ins1itution of self Government cons1i1uted under Article 243 Q of the Constilution oflndia. (h) "Panchayal" means an ins1itution of self Govemmem constituted under Article 243 R of the Constitution oflndia. (i) " Prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act. U) "Rain Wa,er Harvesting'' means 1hc 11:chnique of 1:t1llcc1ion and storngt: of r.11n water at surface or in sub­ surface aq111 fer. (k) "Sink'' wi1h all it~ gr.immatical varia1ions and cognate ~ ~ (ae,1,('lt); 29 ~ 2001 2s exprcsqions in relation to a well includes digging. drilling or boring of new well or in existing \\CII, deepening and modification (of radials and galleries) of the existing wells. (I) "User of Ground Water" means the person or persons or any institution including a company or an establishment. whether Government or non-governmental, who or which extract or use or sell ground\\ ater for any purpose including domestic use made either on a personal or community basis. (m)"Well" means a structure sun!- for the search or extraction of ground walt:r by a person or persons except by the authorised officials of the State or Central Government.~ for carrying out scientific invesrigauons, exploration, development. augmentation, conservation, protection or management of ground water and shall include open well , dug well , bore well, dug-cum-bore well. tubewell, filter point. collector well, infiltration gallery, recharge well, disposal well or any of thei r combinations or variations provided that it will exclude ihe wells from which ground water is drawn by manual devices, i.e., hand pump or rope and bucket used by a person or persons. CHAPTER - II J. ESTA BL ISII ME T OF A GROUND WATE R AUTiiORITY. ( I) The State Government shall. by notification in the Oflicial Cia.1:cttc. establish with effect from such date as may be specified in the notification, an Authority to be known as the Bihar State Ground Water Authori1y. (2) The Authority shall consist of the following: (a) A Chairman not below the rank of Chief Engineer 10 be appointed by the State Government. (b) A representative of the Central Ground Waler Uoard (CG WA) to he nominated by Lhe Chairman, CGWB. (i) (ii) 26 lqr( ~ ( lltllill(VI) , 29 ~ 2007 (c) Four c,,: -oflicio memhers who will be representatives of the folio\, ing departments \~h1ch are concerned \Vilh ~urvey. exploration. development and management of ground water of the rank as slated here under Lo be appointed by the State Government: Minor Irrigation Department : Dircctnr. Ground Water Directorate or a person not below the rank of Superintending Engineer Public I icalth Engineering Department : A person not below the rank of Supcnnt.:nchngEngmeer (iii) Water Resources Depanment : A person not below the rank of Superintending Engineer (iv) Science and Tcchnolog,.v Dqiwtment (Remote Sensing) lncharge, Bihar Remote Sensing Applicanon Centre ( d) Such number of other m(.mbers, noi exceeding five. who tn the opinion of the Government have special 1..no\\-lcdge or practical experience in maner~ rclaling to ground water to be appointed by the Government (3) ·n1e term of office and the manner of filling the vacancies and other conditions of service of the Chairman and other members shall be su4<:h as may be prescribed. ( 4) The Memher-; will advise lhe Chairman who will be the Chicfl.xecutive of the Authority. 4. STAFFOFTHE AUTHORITY. ( I) In order 10 enable the Aulhoriiy Lo properly function or exercise the powers under the Act, the Government ma) nppoint such number ofteehnieal personnel and other staff as it may consider necessary. ~ ~ (ihiliil<•r), 29 ~ 2 007 27 (2) The functions and the tcnns and condition~ of sen ,cc of such employees shall be such as may be prescribed by the Government. 5. POWERS TO NOTIFY AREAS TO REG ULATE AND CONTROL THE OEVE IJOPM E T A ·o MANAGEMENT OF GROUNDWATER {I) TI1e Authority shall function under the (Wernli control and supervision of the Government. (2) If the Authority, after eonsultat1on with various expert bodies, including Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) is of the opinion that it is necessary or expedient in the public interest lo control and/or regulate the extraction or the use or both of ground water in any form in any area, it will advise the Government to declare any such area 10 be notified area for the purposes of this Act wi th effect from such date as may be specified therein. This declaration will be notified in the Official Gazette. Provided that the date so specified in the notification shall not be earlier than three months from the date or the publication of the said notification (3) Every such notification shall. in addition 10 its publication in the Official Gazette. be published in not less than one daily regional language newspaper having wide circulation in the Slllte. and also be served in such manner as the Government may think fit and all or any of the following modes may be followed in effcctmg such service, namely; (a) by affixing a copy of the notification 10 some conspicuous part of the offices of the village PanchayatS located in the said area. 28 • ~ ~ ( Cit!i&l(•i), 29 ~ 2007 (b) by proclaiming by beat or drum or by means of loudspeakers the contents pf the notification in the said area. (c) in such other manner as may be prescribed. ( 4) I fin the opinion of the Authority, the availability of the ground water has improved in a notified area, it may, in consulta1ion with various experl bodies including CGWA, advise Government to de-notify such area and the Government may do so aC()()rding to the procedure prescribed above undt:r section 5(3) of the Act. (5) The Authority will also take steps to ensure that exploitation of ground water resources docs not exceed the natural replenishment to the aquifers. Wherever, there is mismatch, steps will be taken to ensure augmentation of ground water resources in addition to regulatory measures. ( 6) The Authority shall maintain and upkeep the: data base of ground water related information. 6. GRANT OF PERMIT TO EXTRACT AND USE GROUNDWATERINTHENOTIFIEDAREA. ( I ) Any user of ground water as defined under section 2(1) desiring to sink a well in the notified area for any purpose either on personal or community basis, shall apply to the Authority for grant ofa pcnnit for this purpose. and shall not proceed with any activity connected with such sinking unless a permit has been granted by the Authority. Provided that the peri.on or persons will not have to obtain a permit if the well is proposed 10 be fitted with a hand operated manual pump or water is proposed to be withdrawn by manual devices. finrTT 1111?: (cn.,a,<tt l . 29 ~ 2001 29 ' . . (2) Every application under sub-section (I) shall be made in such fonn, shall contain such particulars and in such manner ns may be prescribed in the rule framed under this Act by the Goverrunent. (3) On receipt ofan application under sub-section (I). if the Authority is satisfied that it shall not be against public interest to do so, it may grant subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be specified. a pem1it authorising the extraction and use of ground water. The Authority may impose condition of providing ani licial recharge s tructures of appropriate s ize to be constru<:ted by the applicant within a period as specified by the Authority. Provided that no person shall be refused a permit unless be has been given an opportunity of being heard. ( 4) The decision regarding the grant or refusal of the permit shall be intimated by the Authority to the applicant within a period of90 days from the receipt of the application. (5) In granting or refusing a permit under suh-section (3), the Authority shaJJ have regard to; (a) the purpose or purposes for which ground water is to be used. (b) the existence of other competitive users, (c) the availability of ground water, ( d) quantity of ground water to be drawn, (c) quality of ground water with reference to use, (I) spacing of ground water struc tures keeping in consideration the purpose for which ground water is 10 be used, 30 ~ ~ (cn11&,<ii ). 29 ~ 2001 ·---(g) long-term grouno water tt:vel behavior, (h) its likelihood or adversely affecting water availabili ty or any drinking water sources in its vicinity, (i) any other factor relevant thereto. (6) The permit shall be in such form as may be prescribed. 7. REGlSTHATION OF EXISTING USERS INNOTIFIED AREA. ( I) Every existing user or ground water in notified areas under section 5(2) in the State sllnll. within a period of one hundred twenty days from the date ofnoLification or areas by the Government, apply to the Authority for grant or a certificate of Registration recognizing its existing use in such form and in such manner as may be prescribed: Provide-A that the Authority may entertain any such application after lhe expiry of the said period or one hundred twenty days, ifit is satisfied that the user was prcventc<l by sufficient cause from filing application in time. (2) the details to be furnished in an application under sub• section ( I) shall include the following, namely: (i) Lhc description of the source of ground water, such a.s type of well, its exact location. {ii) the device used for lifiing water, (iii) the quantity of ground water withdrawal and hours of operation per day, (iv) the total period or use in each year, (v) the purpose or purposes for which ground water is being extracted. ~ >r.rZ' (1<«181("1), 29 <ll"flfti 2007 3 1 (vi) in case Lhe requirement of ground water is for purpose of drinking wa!er, the approximate population to be served, (vii) in case of irrigation well, the location and extent of area irrigated, and (viii)in the case of State, Municipal or Community run water supply schemes, the details oflhe services involved in addition to the quantities of ground water extracted, I.he diversion or Lhe pwnping points and their locations. (3) 011 receipt of an application under sub-section (I), if the Authority is satisfied that it shall not be against the public interest to do so, it may grant. subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be specified, a certificate of Registration authorizing the Cl'!ltinued use of ground water. Provided that no person shall be refused a certificate of Registration unless he has been given an opportunity of being heard. ( 4) The decision regarding the grant or refusal of the certificate of Registration shall be intimated by the Authority to the applicant within a period of ninety days from the receipt of the application. (5) In granting or refusing a CertificateofRegistration under sub-section (3 ). the Authority shall have regard to: (a) the purpose or purposes for which ground water i.s to be used, (b) the existence of other competitive users, ( c) the availability of ground water, (d) quality of ground water with reference to use, 32 /qn- ~ (•HIIUl<vi), 29 ~ 2007 (e) spacing of ground water absLrac1ion structures keeping in consideration the purpose for which ground water is to be used, ( f) long term ground water level behavior. and (g) any other factor relevant thereto. (6) The certificate of Registration shall be in such form as may be prescribed. (7) Pending the communication by the Authority of the decision on an application under sub-sec1ion (I). every existing user of ground water in the notified area shall be cn1i1led to the conlinued use of~he ground waler in the same manner and to I.he same quantity as he was entitled prior to the date of his application. (8) Ira registered well becomes defunct, this foci should be immediately brought co the notice of the Authoriiy by the user of ground water. 8. RF:GISTRATION OF DRILLING AGENCIES. ( I) Every Rig owner shall register his machinery with the Authoriiy in such manner and/ or on paymcnl of such fee as may be prescribed. (2) Lvcry Rig owner or operator shall follow the inslructions issued by 1he Authority from time to 1ime. 9. POWER TO ALTER, AMEND OR VARY THE TERMS OF THE PERMIT/ CERTIFI CATE OF REGISTRATION. Al any time afler a Permit or Certificate ofRegistralion, as the case may be, has been gran1ed, the Aulhority may, for lcchnical reasons, alter, amend or vary the 1erms of the Pcm1it or Certilica1e of Registralion, as the case may be, 33 provided the user of ground water has been given an opportunity ofbcing heard. Provided further that before taking such action, the Authority shall ensure that the standing crop(s) are not damaged. 10. CANCF.LLATION OF PERMIT/CERTIFICATE OF REGIS'fRATION. • If the Authority is satisfied either on a reference made to it in this hehalf or otherwise, that: (a) the Penn it or Certificate ofRegislTation granted, under sub-~ection (3) of section 6. or sub-section (3) of section 7. a~ 1hc case may be. is not based on facts . (b) the holder of the Permit or Certificate of Registration has without reasonable cause failed to comply with the conditions ~ubjcct to which the Permit or Certificate ofRcgistrntion has been granted or has contravened any of the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder, or ( c) a situation has arisen which warrants limiting of the use or extraction of ground water; then without prejudice lo any otl1cr penalty to which the holder of the Permit or of the Certificate of Registration may be hable under this Act, the Authority may after giving the holder of the Pcnnit/Certificate of Registration, an opportunity 10 show cause. cancel the Permit., Certificate or Registration. as tl1e ca~c may be. II . POWERSOFTHEAUTHORITY. ( I) The Authorit) or any person authorised by it in writing in tl1is behalf. shall have power: ' (a) Lo enter any property (Private or Government owm:d) with the right Lo investigate and make any mcasw'emcnts concerning the land or the water located on the surface or lhe under ground, (b) to inspect the well which has been or is being sunk and the soils and other materials excavated therefrom, (c) to take specimens of such soils or other materials or of water extracted from such wells, (d) to order in writing the persons sinking a well to keep and preserve in the prescribed manner specimens of soils or any material excavated therefrom for such period not exceeding three months from the date of completior. or abandonment of the work as may be specified by the A uthodty and such person shall comply with such requisition, (e) to inspect and to take copies of the relevant records or documents and ask any question necessary for obtaining any infonnation (including diameter or depth of the well which is being or has been sunk, the level at which the water is or was struck and subsequently restorcd/1\!Sted, the types of strata encountered in the sinking of the well and the quality ol the ground water struck etc.) required for carrying out the purposes of this Act. (I) to direct the user of ground water to install water measuring devices on any ground water abstraction structures: Provided that where the user of ground water docs nol comply with the directions issued to him within a period of sixty days. the Authority itself may install such water measuring device and recover the cost from the defaulting user of ground water, · (g) to seize any equipment/device utilized for illegal sinking and demolish the work executed fully or partly, (h) to direct any user of ground water who docs not comply with the provisions of this Act and rules framed thereunder to close-down the e""'traction of gTouod water, disconnect its power supply and demolish any hydraulic work found to be illegal according to the provisions of this Act and the rules framed thereunder, (i) to enter and search with such assistance, if any. as it considers necessary, any place in which it had reason to believe that offence under this Act has been or is bemg committed and order in writing the person who has been or is committing the offence not to extract or use the ground water for a speci lied period not exceeding thirty days, (j) to exercise such other powers as may be necessary for carrying out the purposes of this Act or any rules made thereunder. (2) The power conferred by sub-~i:ction (I) of this section includes the power to break open 1he door of any premise where sinking, extraction and use of ground water may be going on: Provided that the power to break open the door shall be exercised only after the owner or any other person in occupation of' the premises, if he is present therein, refuses to open the Joor on being called to do so. (3) TI1e provisions of the Codi: of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) shall so far as may apply to any search or seizure under this section as they apply to any search or seizure made under the authority of a warrant issued under section 93 ofche said Code. ( 4) Where the Authority seizes any mechanical equipment/ device under clause (g) of sub-section (I) i1 shall as soon as may he, report to Magistrate and 1ake his orders as to the custody thereof. 12. SERVICES OF ORDERS, ETC. (1) Every order under clause (d) of sub-section (I) of section 11 shall be served: (a) by giving or tendering the order of notice or by sending it by post to the user for whom it is intended, or (b) if such user cannot be found, by affixing the order of notices on some conspicuous part of his last known abode or place of business or by giving or tendering the order of notice to some adult member or servant of his family or by affixing on some conspicuous part of the land or building in which the wdl is being sunk. (2) Where the person on whom an order or a notice is to be served is a minor, service upon bjs guardian in the manner provided in sub-sec1ion (l) shall be deemed to be st:rvice upon the minor. 13. BAR TO CLAIM COMPENSATION. No person shall be entitled to claim any damages or compensation from the Government for any loss sustained by him by virtue of any action taken under this Act. 14. DELEGATION OF POWERS AND DUTIES. The Authority may, by gcncralor special order in writing. direct that all or any of the powers or duties which may be exercised or discharged by it shall, in such circumstance~ and under such condiiions and wilh such terms and conditions, if any, as may be specified in its order. be ~ ~ (•Hli!H(•i) , 29 'll'~ 2007 37 exercised or discharged also by any Municipality, f>anchayat, lnstitution or any employee of the Authority specified in Lhis behalf in the order. 15. MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES OF THE GROUND WATERAUTHORITYTOBEPUBLIC SERVANTS. All members and employees of the At.1thority shall, when acting or purporting to act in pursuance of the provisions of this Act or of any rules made thereunder, be deemed to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code. 16. PROTECTION AGAINST ACTIONTAKENIN GOOD FAITH. No prosecution. suit or other legal proceedings shall be instituted against the Government, the Authority or any other officer of the Government or any member or other employees oftbe Authority for anything done or intended to be done in good faith under this Act, or the rules made thereunder. 17. COGNIZANCEANDTRJALOF OFFENCES. ( 1) No prosecution for an offence under this Act shall be instituted without the written consent of the Authority or a person aulhorised in this behalf by the Authority. (2) No court inferior to that of a Metropolitan Magistrale or a Magistrate of the first class shall try any offence under this Act. CHAPTER- Ill 18 RAINWiUFRHAIMSilNGFORGROUNDWATERRECHARGF.. 38 f~ ir-R ( llffllITT"f), 29 >r«fi 2007 (I) To improve Lhe ground wa11:r situalion, the Aulhority may identify the recharge worthy areas in the Slllte and issue necessary guidelines for adoption of rein water harvesting for ground water recharge in these areas. In rural areas, watershed management to facilitate ground water recharge may be encouraged through community participation. The Authority may give appropriate directions ro the concerned depanments of the State Government to include Rain Water Harvesting in all developmental schemes falling under notified areas. In urban areas. falling in notified areas, the Authority m:iy issue directives for constructing appropriate rain water harvesting structures in all residential, commercial and other premises having an area of I 000 Sq. metres or more in manner prescribed within the stipulated period, failing which the Authority may get such rain water harvesting structure constructed and recover the cost incurred along with a penalty as may be prescribed. ( 2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the relevant laws, the Municipal Corporation or any other local Authority as the case may be, may impose stipulated conditions for providing rooftop rain water harvesting structures in the building plan in an area of 1000 Sq. Metres. or more while according approval for construction, and permanent water and electricity connections shall be cxtendetl only afier compliance of the directions given 1n this regard. (3) The t\uthori1y shall take steps for promotion of Mass Awareness & Training Programmes on Rain Water Harvesting and Artificial Recharge to Ground Water through Government Agencies/Non Govemmcnl Organisations (NGOs)/Voluntary Organisations (VOs)/ Educational lnslitutions/lndustries/lndividuals. A{H ~ ( 11er111~). 29 3RlrO 2001 39 CHAPTER - IV MISCELLANEOUS J9. POWER TO REMOVE DIFFICULTIES. If any difliculcy arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act, the Government may, as occasion arises, by order, do anything, which appears to it, 10 be necessary or expedient to remove the difticulty: Provided that no such order shall be made after the expiry of the penod of two years from lhe date of commencement of this Act. 20. OFFENCES AND PENALTIES.­ If any user of ground water: (a) contravenes or fails to comply with any of the provisions of this Act or any rule made thereunder, (b) obstructs the Aulhorily or any other person authorized by it to exercise any of the powers under this Act. he shall be punishable, (i) for the first offence with fine which may extend 10 live thousand rupees, and (ii) for the subsequent offence, with imprisonment for a term which may extend lo six months, or with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees or both. 21. COMPOUNDCNG OF OFFENCES. Any offence under this Act may he compounded by the Authority as prescribed. either before or after the institution or the proceedings subject to such conditions as may be pn:scribcd. .,,.. :r.:tf'1lt-A '>nn'1 . ., ~, ..... ., .. . 22. OFFENCES BY COMPANIES. (I) Whenever an offence under this Act has been committed by a company, every person who al the time of the commission of offence was in charge of, or w.as responsible 10 the company for the conduct of the business of the company, shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly. ... (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (I), where an offence under this Act has been committed with the consent or connivance of, or is attributable to any neglect on the part of any l)irector, Manager, Secretary or other Offocer of the Company, such Director. Manager, Secretary or other Officer shall also be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be proceeded againsl and punished accordingly. Provided tbat nothing contained in this sub-section shall render any such person liable to any punishment under this Act ifbe proves that offence was committed without his knowledge or that he exercised all due diligence to prevent the commission of such offence. Explanations: For the purpose of lhis section; ( I ) ·'Company" means any body corporate and includes a firm or other association or individuals, and (2) "Director" in relation 10 a firm, means a partner in the lim1. 23. APPEALS. ( I) Any person aggrieved by a decision or action of the Authority under this Act may, within a period of sixty days from the date on which the action is taken or llhe .. f~ ~ (illt1ltll<vi), 29 ~1 2001 42 -------------- - decision is communicated to him and on payment of such fees as may be prescribed, prefer such an appeal to such Appellate Authority as may be specified by the State Government in this behalf. Provided that the Appellate Authority may entertain an appeal aft.er the expiry of the said period of sixty days, if it is satisfied that the applicant was prevented by sufficient cause from filing the appeal in time. (2) On receipt of an appeal under sub-section (I), the Appellate Authority shall, after giving the applicant an opportunity of being heard, dispose of the appeal as expeditiously as possible. 24. POWER TO MAKE RULES. ( l) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazelle, make rules lo carry out the purposes of this Act. (2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for: (a) the 1enn of office.and manner of filling vacancies and other conditions of service of the Members and Chairman of the Authority; (b) the functions and the terms and conditions of service of the employees of the Authority; ( c) any other manner of c lfccting service of the notification under clause (c) of sub-section (3) of Section 5; ( d) the form of application under sub-section (2) of Section 6 and the particulars that may be furnished with these applications; (c) the form of application under sub-section (1) of section 7; 42 R~I( ir-1? ( l!ll1itll<•1). 2 9 ;F.ii() 2007 - - --- - (f) the form of the Pennil and Certificate of Registration under sub-section (6) of Section 6 and sub-section (6) of Section 7; (g) the manner in which the specimens of soils or other materials shall be kept and preserved under clause (d) of sub-section ( 1) of Section 11 ; (h) specifying the Appellate Authority under sub-section (I) of Section 23 and the fees to accompany the application for appeal; (i) any other matter which is to be or may be prescribed. (3) Every rule made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be afler it is made, before both Houses of the Legislature while it is in session for a total period of fifteen days ,vhich may be comprised in one session or in two succcssi ve sessions, and if before the expiry of the session in which it is so laid or the session immediately foUo"'ing, both Houses of the Legislature agrees in making any modification in the rules or agrees that the rules should not be made, the rules thereaflcr shall have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so however, that any such modifii;ation or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule. ♦ Aims & Objectives Due to continuous population increase in the country, the exploitation of ground water is also increasing for the purpose of drinking, industrail use and irrigation water. In order to control the exploitation of ground water as per availability, the Govcn1n1ent ofl ndia had circulated a draft model hi II for enacting law on control of ground water. The Government oflndia has bt:en rcqesting regularly for enactment of such a law. 2. This bilJ is being presented with an objective to keep control on exploitation of ground water in those regions of the state where ground water exploitation exceeds its availabilicy. In addition to tJ1is, provision is being made to improve the ground water status in the critical areas by adopting methods which can conserve the rain water and ensure the recharge of ground water. The control over ground water is essential for meeting the needs of future gcnerc1tions. The bill is aimed to notify the critical regions of the stale fully or partially and controlling the ground water by grant of the permission for establishment of future ground water structures. (V,shwa Mohan Kumar)