Offences and penalties.- (1) Any person or drilling or digging agency who,-

1. (a) obstructs the Authority or any other person authorized by it to exercise any of the powers under this Act; or 2[(b) having been required to furnish any information or return under clause (f) of sub-section (1) of section 17 of this Act,-
   • (i) Willfully refuses or without lawful excuse, neglects to furnish such information or return; or
   • (ii) Willfully furnishes or causes to be furnished any information or return which he knows to be false:
     • • Shall be liable for punishment with penalty which may extend to Fifty thousand rupees. In the case of continuing and subsequent failure or contravention, an additional Penalty which may extend to one thousand rupees for every day during which such failure or contravention continues, shall be imposed.]

1. (2) Any person who indulges in a drilling or digging well without permit from the authority shall be liable for punishment with fine which may extend to 2[twenty five thousand] rupees or

imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months or both. The authority or any other person authorized by it to exercise any of the powers under this Act may seize and confiscate the well and equipment of drilling or digging in such contravention, in favour of the Government in the manner as prescribed.

1. (3) If any person other than a drilling or digging agency who drills or digs well without permit or continues to extract water in notified area without registration and contravenes or fails to comply with

case of subsequent and continuing failure or contravention of the authority or any other person

1[(4) Any person or drilling or digging agency which contravenes or fails to comply with conditions of certificate of registration, except those mentioned in subsection (1), shall be punishable with fine which may extend to

2[twenty five thousand] rupees or imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year. In case of subsequent and continuing failure or contravention the authority or any other person authorized by it to exercise any of the powers under this Act may seize and confiscate the drilling or digging equipment and machinery in the manner as may be prescribed.]

3[(5) Any person extracts the water without obtaining valid No Objection Certificate and violates the provisions of this Act and said No Objection Certificate, punishable with penalty as notified by the Government on the basis of guidelines issued by the Central Ground Water Authority, with suitable modifications.]

¹ Substituted by Act 10 of 2025 w.e.f. 10.01.2025.

² Substituted by Act 63 of 2025 w.e.f 12.09.2025

³ Inserted by Act 63 of 2025 w.e.f 12.09.2025