Appeals.

1. (1) Any person aggrieved by a decision or action of the Authority under this

Act may within a period of sixty days from the date on which the action is taken or the decision is communicated to him and on payment of such fee as may be prescribed, prefer such an appeal to such an Authority as may be specified by the State Government in this behalf: Provided that the appellate authority may entertain an appeal after the expiry of the said period of sixty days, if it is satisfied that the applicant was prevented by sufficient cause from filing the appeal in time.

1. (2) On receipt of an appeal under sub-section (1), the Appellate Authority shall after giving the applicant an opportunity of being heard, dispose of the appeal as expeditiously as possible.

Gazette under clause (3) of Article 348 of the Constitution of India.

H.R.BHARDWAJ GOVERNOR OF KARNATAKA By Order and in the name of the Governor of Karnataka

G.K. BOREGOWDA Secretary to Government Department of Parliamentary Affairs & Legislation

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KARNATAKA ACT NO. 10 OF 2025 (First published in the Karnataka Gazette Extra-ordinary on the 10th day of January, 2025)

THE KARNATAKA GROUND WATER (REGULATION AND CONTROL OF DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT) (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2024 (Received the assent of the Governor on the 9th day of January, 2025)

An Act to amend the Karnataka Ground water (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) Act, 2011.

Whereas it is expedient to amend the Karnataka Ground water (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) Act, 2011 (Karnataka Act 25 of 2011) for the purposes hereinafter appearing;

Be it enacted by the Karnataka State Legislature in the seventy-fifth year of the Republic of India as follows:

1. Short title and commencement.- (1) This Act may be called the Karnataka Ground Water (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

1. (2) It shall come into force at once. 2. Amendment of section 2.- In the Karnataka Ground Water (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) Act, 2011 (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act) in section 2, after clause (j), the following shall be inserted, namely:- “(j-a) “Implementing Agency” with all its grammatical variations and cognate expression in relation to a Government agency, public or private enterprise that undertakes drilling bore-wells or tube wells, maintenance and supply of water either directly or through contractors;” 3. Amendment of section 11.- In section 11 of the principal Act, after subsection (5), the following shall be inserted, namely:- “(5A) On obtaining the permission from the Ground Water Authority or District Ground Water Committee, the land owner or implementing agency before digging a bore-well or tube well shall inform in writing at least fifteen days in advance to the officer of the local authority or urban local bodies as the case may be notified by the Government from time to time.” 4. Insertion of new section 11A.- After section 11 of the principal Act, the following new section shall be inserted, namely:- “11A. Measures to be taken by the land owner and implementing agency to extract and use ground water in the area other than notified area.- The Owner of the Land (Excluding Farmer) or Premises or implementing agency in the area other than notified area before digging the bore-well or tube well shall inform in writing at least fifteen days in advance to the officer of the local authority or urban local bodies as the case may be notified by the Government from time to time.” 5. Amendment of section 12.- In section 12 of the principal Act, in subsection (8), for the words, “in order to avoid untoward incidents” the words “or tube well as in such manner as may be prescribed” shall be substituted. 6. Insertion of New chapters IIIA and IIIB.- After section 21 of the Principal Act, the following new chapters shall be inserted, namely:- “CHAPTER-IIIA MEASURES TO PREVENT CHILDREN FALLING IN FAILED OR DEFUNCT ABANDONED OPEN BORE-WELL 21A. Duties of the Drilling Agency, Implementing Agency and Land Owner.- (1) Immediately after the completion of drilling the bore-well or tube well, the drilling agency or implementing agency, shall cap the bore-well or tube well properly either by steel cap with bolts and nuts or with a threaded cap as a safety measure to prevent fatal accidents.
2. (2) In case of failed or abandoned or incomplete drilled bore-well or tube well to avoid caving and collapse, the same shall be filled with locally resourced stones and slurry and build a mound 2'x2' above the ground level. The mound shall be fenced with barbed wire or locally available thorny plants. Such filling shall not be with solid waste or chemical waste materials.
3. (3) The drilling agency and/or the implementing agency shall safely close failed or abandoned or incompletely drilled bore-well or tube well as stated in subsection (2) within 24 hours and shall inform the concerned authorities immediately the action taken in this regard along with photographs of the closed bore-well or tube well and the concerned authority shall after inspection issue a certificate certifying the bore-well is properly closed.
4. (4) The drilling agency shall submit a declaration to the nearest Gram Panchayat or Village Administrative Officer in case of Rural Areas and Junior Engineer (Works), working under the respective Municipal Commissioner or Chief Officer of the Jurisdictional Urban Local Body as the case may be stating that, he has complied with requirements of above sub-sections (1), (2) and (3).
5. (5) In case of repairs immediately after the removal of submersible pump or suction pipe, the owner (excluding farmer) or servicing agency shall cap the bore- well or tube well properly either by steel cap with bolts and nuts or with a threaded cap as a safety measure to prevent fatal accidents.
6. (6) If the owner intends to rejuvenate inoperative or defunct bore-well or tube well, the owner of the land (excluding farmer) or premises shall have to safely close and cover such bore-well or tube well either by steel cap with bolts and nuts or with a threaded cap as a safety measure to avoid causalities. 21B. Fixing Signboards at the bore-well or tube-well site.- Drilling Agency shall erect signboards at the time of drilling, repairs, rejuvenation of the bore-well or tube well near the site displaying complete address of the Drilling Agency or Implementing Agency or Owner of the land or premises. 21C. Fencing the bore-wells or tube wells.- The Drilling Agency shall erect the barbed wire fencing or any other suitable barrier around the bore-well or tube well during the drilling, repairs, rejuvenation to avoid entry of unconnected persons or children. CHAPTER- III B DUTIES OF THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES 21D. Duties of the local authorities.- (1) The Panchayat Development Officer of Gram Panchayat, Village Administrative Officer, Junior Engineers or Officers of the respective urban local authorities and boards such as the Bangaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Municipal Corporations and Municipalities including implementing Government Agencies, as the case may be shall keep vigil on the bore-wells or tube wells drilled and shall also ensure that the failed or abandoned or defunct bore-wells or tube wells are closed properly to avoid human causalities.
7. (2) The Panchayat Development Officer of Gram Panchayat, Village Administrative Officer, Junior Engineers or Commissioner or Chief Officers of the respective urban local authority shall maintain a register in respect of bore-wells or tube-wells as specified in proforma and submit a quarterly report to the Ground Water Authority or to any officer authorized in this behalf under section 21A.
8. (3) The officer in-charge of implementing agency of drinking water or irrigation or commercial schemes shall ensure that, the operating bore-wells or tube wells are covered safely.
9. (4) The Panchayat Development Officer of the concerned Gram Panchayat shall display in the premises of panchayat office a board in Kannada language regarding measures to be taken in respect of successful or failed or abandoned or defunct or incompletely drilled bore-well or tube well. 7. Amendment of section 32.- In section 32 of the Principal Act, for subsection (4), the following shall be substituted, namely:- “(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 ten 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.” 8. Insertion of new section 32A.- After section 32 of the Principal Act, the following new section shall be inserted, namely:- “32A. Punishment and penalties.- (1) If any person violates the provisions of section 11A shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.
10. (2) If any person violates the provisions of section 21A shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months and with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees.
11. (3) Failure on the part of drilling and servicing agencies to comply with the provisions of section 21A shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year and with fine which may extend to twenty five thousand rupees.
12. (4) If any drilling and servicing agency fails to comply with the duties under sections 21B and 21C shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees.
13. (5) Failure on the part of any authorities to perform the duties under section 21D shall be treated as misconduct and liable for disciplinary action.” 9. Insertion of new section 33A.- After section 33 of the Principal Act, the following new section shall be inserted, namely:- “33A. cognizable offences.- Notwithstanding anything contained in any other provisions of this Act, the offences specified in sub-section (1),(2),(3) and (4) of section 32A shall be cognizable offences.” 10. Amendment of section 38.- In section 38 of the Principal Act, in subsection (2), after clause (m), the following shall be inserted, namely:- “(n) Maintaining registers and proformas under sections 11A and 26;
    • (o) Duties of drilling agency, implementing agency and maintaining registers under section 21A;
    • (p) Size and fixing sign boards at the bore-well or tube well site under section 21B;
    • (q) Fencing the bore-wells or tube wells to avoid entry of unconnected persons and children under section 21C; and
    • (r) Issuing notifications to designate an officer for each local authority or urban local bodies or boards to inspect and supervise the defunct bore-well or tube well.” 11. Power to remove difficulty.- (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the Karnataka Ground water (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) (Amendment) Act, 2024 the State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make such provisions as may appear to it to be necessary or expedient for purpose of removing the difficulty: Provided that, no such order shall be made after the expiry of a period of two

years from the date of commencement of the Karnataka Ground water (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

1. (2) Every order made under sub-section (1), shall as soon as after it is made, be laid before the State Legislature. The above translation of ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಅಂತರ್ಾಲ (ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಮತ್ತು ನಿರ್ಾಹಣೆಯ

ವಿನಿಯಮನ ಹಾಗೂ ನಿಯಂತರ ಣ) (ತಿದ್ದು ಪಡಿ) ಅಧಿನಿಯಮ, 2024 (2025ರ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ

ಅಧಿನಿಯಮ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ: 10) be published in the official Gazette under clause (3) of Article 348 of the Constitution of India.

THAAWARCHAND GEHLOT GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA By Order and in the name of the Governor of Karnataka,

G. SRIDHAR Secretary to Government Department of Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation

KARNATAKA ACT NO. 63 OF 2025 (First published in the Karnataka Gazette Extra-ordinary on the 12 th day of September, 2025) THE KARNATAKA GROUND WATER (REGULATION AND CONTROL OF DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT) (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2025 (Received the assent of the Governor on the 11 th day of September, 2025)

An Act further to amend the Karnataka Ground water (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) Act, 2011. Whereas it is expedient further to amend the Karnataka Ground water (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) Act, 2011 (Karnataka Act 25 of 2011), for the purposes hereinafter appearing. Be it enacted by the Karnataka State Legislature in the Seventy-sixth year of the Republic of India as follows:

1. Short title and commencement.- (1) This Act may be called the Karnataka Ground Water (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) (Amendment) Act, 2025.

1. (2) It shall come into force at once.

2. Amendment of section 3.- In the Karnataka Ground Water (Regulation and Control of Development and Management) Act, 2011 (Karnataka Act 25 of 2011) (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), in section 3, in sub section (3),-

1. (i) for clause (a), the following shall be substituted, namely:- "(a) The Secretary to Government incharge of the Minor Irrigation and Ground water development, Government of Karnataka who shall be the chair person."
2. (ii) for clause (b), the following shall be substituted, namely:- “(b) The Director, Groundwater Directorate, who shall be the Member Secretary."
3. (iii) for clause (f), the following shall be substituted, namely:- “(f) The Chief Engineer, Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation Department.”
4. (iv) for clause (h), the following shall be substituted, namely:- “(h) The Chief Engineer of south zone, Minor Irrigation and Groundwater Development Department.” 3. Amendment of section 11.- In the principal Act, in section 11,-
5. (i) for the heading, the following shall be substituted, namely:- “11. Grant of permit to extract and use of Ground Water in Notified and Non-Notified Areas.",
6. (ii) for sub-section (1), the following shall be substituted, namely:- “(1) Subject to the provisions of any other law for time being in force relating to the protection of public sources of drinking water, no ground water user, except those exempted under sub-section (1-A), shall drill or dig a well or extract, for any purpose in a notified and Non notified area without obtaining permit or No Objection Certificate from the Authority. (1-A). Categories of consumers who are exempted from obtaining permission or No Objection Certificate. The following categories of consumers shall be exempted from Obtaining Permit for drilling new Borewell and seeking No Objection Certificate for ground water extraction namely:-
7. (vii) Individual domestic consumers in both rural and urban areas for drinking water and domestic uses;
8. (viii) Rural drinking water supply schemes;
9. (ix) Armed Forces Establishments and Central Armed Police Forces establishments in both rural and urban areas;
10. (x) Agricultural activities;
11. (xi) All industries or mining projects or infrastructure projects drawing ground water only for drinking or domestic purposes up to 5 Cum per day in all assessment units, and
12. (xii) Residential apartments and group housing societies who drill or dig,-

1. (a) For drinking water and domestic uses, drawing ground water up to 20 m3 per day subject to the conditions specified in the guidelines; and
2. (b) Dwelling units for Economically Weaker Sections under the Government schemes. (1-B) All private tankers abstracting ground water and use it for supply as bulk water suppliers shall have No Objection Certificate for ground water abstraction from the concerned authority as notified by the Government.” 4. Amendment of section 17.- In the Principal Act, in section 17, in sub- section (1), after clause (j), the following new clauses shall be inserted, namely:- “(j-1) to issue, adopt and notify the guidelines issued by central groundwater authority for regulating and controlling the ground water extraction with suitable modifications; (j-2) to constitute the district committee or any committee for any area to implement the purpose of this Act; and (j-3) to constitute a sub-committee consist of one or more members, experts from among themselves or outsiders to suggest or advice the authority in proper regulation or use of ground water or in any other matter.” 5. Amendment of section 18.- In the Principal Act, in section 18, for sub- section (3), the following shall be substituted, namely:- “(3) The authority may impose appropriate charges on the quantum of ground water extracted for the use of commercial, industrial, mining projects, infrastructure projects and bulk water supply as notified by the Government on the basis of guidelines issued by the Central Ground Water Authority.” 6. Amendment of section 32.- In the Principal Act, in section 32,-
   • (i) in sub-section (1),for clause (b), the following shall be substituted, namely:-

“(b) having been required to furnish any information or return under clause (f) of sub-section (1) of section 17 of this Act,-

1. (iii) Willfully refuses or without lawful excuse, neglects to furnish

such information or return; or

1. (iv) 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.”
2. (ii) in sub-section (2), for the words "five thousand," the words "twenty five thousand", shall be substituted;
3. (iii) in sub-section (4), for the words "ten thousand", the words "twenty five thousand", shall be substituted; and
4. (iv) after sub-section (4), the following shall be inserted, namely:- “(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.” The above translation of the ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಅಂತರ್ಾಲ (ಅಭಿವೃದ್ಧಿ ಮತ್ತು ನಿರ್ಾಹಣೆಯ

ವಿನಿಯಮನ ಹಾಗೂ ನಿಯಂತರ ಣ) (ತಿದ್ದು ಪಡಿ) ಅಧಿನಿಯಮ, 2025 (2025 ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ

ಅಧಿನಿಯಮ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ: 63) be published in the official Gazette under clause (3) of Article 348 of the Constitution of India.

THAAWARCHAND GEHLOT GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA

By Order and in the name of the Governor of Karnataka,

G. SRIDHAR Secretary to Government Department of Parliamentary Affairs and Legislation