The Karnataka Ground Water (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) Act, 2011

The Karnataka Ground Water (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) Act, 2011

Environmental201149 sections

This law regulates the extraction and use of groundwater across the entire state of Karnataka to prevent over-exploitation and ensure sustainable management. It applies to all users, including individuals, industries, and agricultural operations, who must obtain permits or registration before digging new wells or modifying existing ones. The state government established a specific authority to oversee these activities, ensuring that water resources are conserved for future generations while balancing the needs of various sectors. By enforcing strict rules on drilling and usage, the Act aims to protect public drinking water sources and maintain the ecological balance of the state's water table.

  1. 0. Preamble
  2. 1. Short title, extent and commencement and application
  3. 2. Definitions.- In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-
  4. 3. Establishment of Groundwater Authority
  5. 4. Disqualification for the members of the authority
  6. 5. Authority is inserted.
  7. 6. Removal of a Member
  8. 7. Casual vacancies etc
  9. 8. Meetings of the Authority.
  10. 9. Staff of the Authority.
  11. 10. Power to notify areas to regulate and control the development and management of groundwater
  12. 11. Grant of permit to extract and use of Ground Water in Notified and Non-Notified
  13. 11A. Measures to be taken by the land owner and implementing agency to extract and
  14. 12. Registration of existing users in the notified areas
  15. 13. Registration of drilling agencies.
  16. 14. Power to alter, amend or vary the terms of permit or certificate of registration
  17. 15. Provided that before taking any such action the Authority shall ensure that standing crop or crops is not damaged.
  18. 16. Ineligibility to avail financial assistance, power connection etc
  19. 17. Powers of the Authority.
  20. 18. Funds of the Authority
  21. 19. Budget of the Authority
  22. 20. Government such number of copies thereof, as may be prescribed.
  23. 21. Annual Report
  24. 21A. Duties of the Drilling Agency, Implementing Agency and Land Owner.- (1)
  25. 21B. Fixing Signboards at the bore-well or tube-well site
  26. 21C. Fencing the bore-wells or tube wells
  27. 21D. Duties of the local authorities
  28. 22. Rainwater harvesting for ground water recharge
  29. 23. Delegation of power and duties
  30. 24. Public to give information regarding contravention of the Act.
  31. 25. Recovery of dues as arrears of land revenue
  32. 26. Restriction on publication of information and returns
  33. 27. Service of orders.
  34. 28. Bar to claim compensation
  35. 29. Members and employees of the authority to be public servants
  36. 30. Protection of action taken in good faith
  37. 31. Cognizance and trial of offences
  38. 32. Offences and penalties.- (1) Any person or drilling or digging agency who,-
  39. 32A. Punishment and penalties
  40. 33. Compounding of offences
  41. 33A. Cognizable offences
  42. 34. Offences by companies
  43. 35. Bar of jurisdiction by Civil Courts
  44. 36. Fines to be credited to the fund of the Authority
  45. 37. Punishment under other laws not barred
  46. 38. Provided that no person shall be prosecuted and punished for the same offence more than once.
  47. 39. Regulations
  48. 40. Power to remove difficulties.
  49. 41. Appeals.

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