Uttar Pradesh Ground Water (Management and Regulation) Act, 2019 [Act No. 13 of 2019].
Country
Type of law
Legislation
Abstract
The Uttar Pradesh Ground Water (Management and Regulation) Act, 2019 provides for management and regulation of ground water to ensure the sustainability of groundwater resources and equity in groundwater use in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The Act consists of 52 sections across ten Chapters: I. Preliminary; II. Institutional Frame Work; III. Duties and Responsibilities; IV. Power and Functions; V. Prevention of Ground Water Pollution; VI. Self Regulation, Rain Water Harvesting, Ground Water Recharge, Recycling and Reuse, Prevention of Waterlogging; VII. Impact Assessment and Transparency; VIII. Offences and Penalties; IX. Grievance Redressal; X. Miscellaneous.
Chapter I provides for the short title, extent, commencement and definitions. Chapter II establishes the Gram Panchayat Ground Water Sub-Committee in every Gram Panchayat; Block Panchayat Ground Water Management Committee; Municipal Water Management Committee; District Ground Water Management Council; and the Uttar Pradesh State Ground Water Management and Regulatory Authority (Authority). Chapter III lays down the duties and responsibilities of the state Ground Water Department including coordination, acting as Technical Secretariat to the Authority, identifying areas such as over-exploited and critical blocks and providing information to Councils. Chapter IV empowers the state to notify areas where ground water levels have depleted to critical or alarming levels and bans construction of new wells in such areas. It requires registration of drilling agencies and existing commercial, industrial, infrastructural and bulk users of Ground Water, preparation of Ground Water Security Plans, fixing ground water abstraction limit and imposing annual fees for ground water drawn.
Chapter V requires the Ground Water Department to identify and demarcate areas found affected with ground water quality and pollution hazards. It requires all authorities to collect information related to ground water pollution including sources of pollution. The Authority is tasked with ensuring no user pollutes groundwater as well as ponds, rivers, wells, etc. Chapter VI provides for self regulation in rural notified areas. It requires all authorities to encourage rainwater harvesting and catchment conservation, recycling and re-use of water for non-potable use. All authorities have to work towards prevention of water logging and revival and rejuvenation of rivers, ponds, wells, etc in every village. Chapter VII requires impact assessment of both social and environment aspects to be undertaken and the information to be available in public domain. Chapter VIII provides for Offences and Penalties. Chapter IX provides for grievance redressal. Chapter X provides removal of wells dug in contravention of the Act and creates a Ground Water Fund.
Chapter I provides for the short title, extent, commencement and definitions. Chapter II establishes the Gram Panchayat Ground Water Sub-Committee in every Gram Panchayat; Block Panchayat Ground Water Management Committee; Municipal Water Management Committee; District Ground Water Management Council; and the Uttar Pradesh State Ground Water Management and Regulatory Authority (Authority). Chapter III lays down the duties and responsibilities of the state Ground Water Department including coordination, acting as Technical Secretariat to the Authority, identifying areas such as over-exploited and critical blocks and providing information to Councils. Chapter IV empowers the state to notify areas where ground water levels have depleted to critical or alarming levels and bans construction of new wells in such areas. It requires registration of drilling agencies and existing commercial, industrial, infrastructural and bulk users of Ground Water, preparation of Ground Water Security Plans, fixing ground water abstraction limit and imposing annual fees for ground water drawn.
Chapter V requires the Ground Water Department to identify and demarcate areas found affected with ground water quality and pollution hazards. It requires all authorities to collect information related to ground water pollution including sources of pollution. The Authority is tasked with ensuring no user pollutes groundwater as well as ponds, rivers, wells, etc. Chapter VI provides for self regulation in rural notified areas. It requires all authorities to encourage rainwater harvesting and catchment conservation, recycling and re-use of water for non-potable use. All authorities have to work towards prevention of water logging and revival and rejuvenation of rivers, ponds, wells, etc in every village. Chapter VII requires impact assessment of both social and environment aspects to be undertaken and the information to be available in public domain. Chapter VIII provides for Offences and Penalties. Chapter IX provides for grievance redressal. Chapter X provides removal of wells dug in contravention of the Act and creates a Ground Water Fund.
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Long title of text
An Act to provide for protecting, conserving, controlling and regulating ground water to ensure its sustainable management in the State, both quantitatively and qualitatively, especially in stressed rural and urban areas, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Date of text
Repealed
No
Source language
English
Legislation Amendment
No