Protective measures in over exploited Areas.

1. (1) Upon declaration of any area as an over exploited area,—
   • (a) no person shall sink a well in that area unless he has obtained the permission of

the Ground Water Officer and the procedure laid down in section 5 of this Act shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to the receipt and disposal of an application received for sinking a well in that area: Provided that no restrictions shall be imposed in an over exploited area to the sinking of a well on behalf of the Government or a local authority for being used as a public drinking water source: Provided further that the Ground Water Officer shall grant the permission to sink a well in that area subject to,—

1. (i) the condition that the Ground Water Officer may, for reasons to be recorded in

writing, by order, prohibit, restrict or regulate the extraction of water from such a well for such period as may be specified in such an order, if, in his opinion, it is necessary to do so in the public interest; and

1. (ii) such other conditions and restrictions as may be prescribed,

1. (b) the Ground Water Officer may prohibit, by order, the extraction of water from any existing well during the period of six months from 1st February to 31st July, every year.