Jail term for borewell sans permit in Tamil Nadu

Taking a serious view of fatalities of small children falling into borewells, the Tamil Nadu government on Monday introduced a Bill seeking to provide a jail term of up to seven years against those sinking borewells without permission in municipalities and panchayats.

 Introducing the bill in the state Assembly, Minister for Municipal Administration, Rural Development, Law, Courts and Prisons S P Velumani said whoever contravenes any of the provisions of Sec 3 or 4-A of the Tamil Nadu Municipal Laws and the Chennai Metropolitan Area Groundwater (Regulation) Act or the rules, on conviction, would be punishable with imprisonment for a term, which shall not be less than three years, but which may extend to seven years and with fine which may extend to Rs 50,000. 

The bill seeks to include a special clause in the Act, providing penalty for sinking borewells without permission and registration.

According to the bill, fatal accidents and death of small children have occurred due to the careless attitude of the owners of borewells, tube wells and open wells and the agencies carrying on the business of sinking such wells.

 “To regulate the sinking of borewells, tube wells and open wells and to prevent the occurrence of such unfortunate accidents, the government has decided to amend the Act”, it said.

  The minister also introduced another Bill seeking to provide a similar jail term for those sinking borewells without permission or registration in panchayats.