Commercial use of groundwater may attract charges in Karnataka

The Karnataka Ground Water (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) Bill, 2011 is to regulate and control the development and management of ground water and matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

The proposed bill provides for the constitution of the Karnataka Ground Water Authority, restriction and regulation of extraction of ground water in the notified area, and specification of the minimum distance between the bore wells dug for the purpose of irrigation and declaration, among others.

Provisions of the bill said the Authority may impose appropriate charges on the quantum of ground water extracted for industrial, commercial and entertainment purposes with the approval of the Government in such a manner as may be prescribed.

"If the Authority, after consultations with various expert bodies is of the opinion that it is necessary or expedient in the public interest to regulate the extraction or the use or both of groundwater in any form in any area, it shall advise the Government to declare any such area to be a notified area," it said.

Every person desiring to carry on the business of drilling or digging well or extraction of ground water shall register his machinery with the Authority in such a manner as may be prescribed, it said.

To improve the groundwater situation, the Authority shall identify the recharge-worthy areas in the State, and also take steps to extend incentives and subsidies to the farmers following water conservation and rainwater harvesting and recharge schemes, it added.