Seven states including Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have the lowest ground water table in the country, Union Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz has said.

Speaking to reporters here on Monday in connection with the national ground water congress to be held here on September 11, Prof Soz said that other states in this category include Delhi, Haryana and Punjab. He said that there were 839 areas which have been identified as those with the lowest water table  in the country.

Noting that his ministry has long ago circulated a model legislation on ground water to the states, the minister said 10 states have already enacted  and implemented the bill, including Andhra  Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Ten other states including Karnataka have taken initiatives for enactment of the model bill. North Eastern states feel that it was not necessary to enact  the legislation, while Punjab, which was against it, has now been convinced to enact it.

Referring to the inter-linking of river waters, Prof Soz said that five links have come in sharp focus in this regard and this included one in South India – Polavaram. While some states such as Tamil Nadu want the link, others like Kerala were opposed to it.

Noting that ground water scarcity was not alarming, he said that he was satisfied that almost all the states have taken steps to enact the legislation on ground water.

Asked whether the government was considering a proposal to impose tariff on the use of ground water, Prof Soz said that the Advisory Council on Artificial Recharge of Ground Water, set up by the prime minister, has given two reports on use of ground water and its pricing. He said that he has not taken any decision on whether the industry should be levied charges for using ground water. He also added that the question was,  what contribution the industry would make to the society, if it was allowed to use ground water. He, however, said that he would take a decision shortly and move the cabinet in this regard.

The minister said that the one-day meet would review the status of ground water resources in the country.
, steps taken to promote rainwater harvesting and sustainable and equitable use of ground water. The national water award and Bhooomijal Samvardhan Puraskar would be given away on the occasion.