Groundwater Management for Agricultural Purposes Act, 2018 (No. 5 of 2018 Law).

The Ground Water Management Ordinance, 1985 is an act enacted to be amended and re-enacted. In particular, the Act specifies that no tube well shall be installed at any place for agricultural purposes without the license granted by the Upazila Parishad. For a license to install tube wells, apply to the Upazila Parishad, in the form with the prescribed fee. (3) No application shall be accepted by the Upazila Parishad unless the application is made with the prescribed fee. If an application is made under sub-section (2), the Upazila Parishad shall direct the Upazila Irrigation Committee to submit a written report within the stipulated time after verifying the veracity of the places and information mentioned in the application. After receiving the instructions under sub-section (4), the Upazila Irrigation Committee shall visit the place mentioned in the application and submit a report to the Upazila Parishad on the following matters, namely: the condition of the water-holding level at the place where the tube well will be installed; (b) the distance of the existing tube well nearby; (c) such a possible area that will benefit from the tube well; (d) the existing tube well used for household purposes. If the Upazila Parishad, taking into consideration the report of the Upazila Irrigation Committee, is satisfied that the establishment of the applied tube well will (a) benefit the agricultural work in the area where the tube well will be installed;(b) will not have an adverse effect on the surrounding environment; or (c) otherwise implementable; if so, the Upazila Parishad shall issue the license to the applicant at the prescribed time, form, duration and condition. If the Upazila Parishad is not satisfied with the report of the Upazila Irrigation Committee, then the application for license will be rejected and the applicant will be informed within the stipulated time. If the Upazila Parishad rejects any license application under sub-section 7, the aggrieved person may apply to the authority for reconsideration within the stipulated time and the decision of that authority shall be considered final.