Vidhi Codex

The Maharashtra Groundwater (Development and Management) Act, 2009

The Maharashtra Groundwater (Development and Management) Act, 2009

General200959 sections8 chapters

This Act regulates the management and development of groundwater across the entire state of Maharashtra. It applies to everyone using groundwater, typically through wells, borewells, and other extraction systems, including private individuals, industries, and local authorities. The law is essential because it addresses the problem of over-exploitation and scarcity by designating areas as critically depleted and strictly managed. It empowers local governance bodies to create comprehensive plans for regulating usage, enforcing permits, and implementing water conservation techniques to ensure a sustainable supply for future generations.

Start reading →Read full ActSections

Chapter I PRELIMINARY →

  1. 1Short title, extent and commencement.
  2. 2Definitions.

Chapter II STATE GROUNDWATER AUTHORITY, ITS POWERS, FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES →

  1. 3State Groundwater Authority.
  2. 4Powers to notify areas to regulate development and management of groundwater.
  3. 5Powers to de-notify areas.
  4. 6Protection of water quality.
  5. 7Registration of well owners in State.
  6. 8Prohibition of drilling of deep-wells, withdrawal of groundwater from existing deep-well and provision for levy of cess.
  7. 9Rain water harvesting for artificial recharge of groundwater.
  8. 10Groundwater Use Plan and Crop Plan.
  9. 11Guidelines for preventive measures.
  10. 12Registration of drilling agencies.
  11. 13Safety measures for well.
  12. 14Delegation of powers and duties of State Authority.
  13. 15Empowered Committee.
  14. 16State Watershed Management Council.

Chapter III DISTRICT AUTHORITY, ITS POWERS, FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES →

  1. 17District Authority.
  2. 18Constitution of District Watershed Management Committee.
  3. 19Preparation of Integrated Watershed Development and Management Plan.
  4. 20Power to notify Public Drinking Water Source.
  5. 21Notification of area of influence and prohibition of construction of Wells within certain limits.
  6. 22Prohibition of extraction of water from existing well for a certain period.
  7. 23Protection of drinking water sources against contamination.
  8. 24District Authority to be assisted by Panchayat.

Chapter IV DECLARATION OF WATER SCARCITY AREA AND PROTECTION OF DRINKING WATER SOURCES DURING WATER SCARCITY →

  1. 25Declaration of water scarcity area.
  2. 26Regulation of extraction of water from wells in water scarcity area.
  3. 27Payment of Compensation.
  4. 28Powers of District Authority to enquire or implement or enforce the decisions of Watershed Water Resources Committee.

Chapter V WATERSHED WATER RESOURCES COMMITTEE, ITS POWERS, FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES →

  1. 29Establishment, constitution and incorporation of the Watershed Water Resources Committee.
  2. 30Groundwater management for existing users of groundwater.
  3. 31Prohibit or limit use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides, etc.
  4. 32Construction of new well in the notified area.
  5. 33Promotion of community participation.
  6. 34Implementation of decisions and plans of Watershed Water Resources Committee.
  7. 35Regulation or prohibition of sand mining.
  8. 36Financial resources for Watershed Water Resources Committee.
  9. 37Transparancy in working of Watershed Water Resources Committee.

Chapter VI ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT →

  1. 38Grants and Advances to Watershed Water Resources Committee.
  2. 39Budget of Watershed Water Resources Committee.
  3. 40Accounts of Watershed Water Resources Committee.

Chapter VII GROUNDWATER SURVEYS AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY, ITS POWERS, FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES →

  1. 41Identification, delineation and declaration of basic watershed or aquifer.
  2. 42Delineation of area of influence.
  3. 43Watershed or aquifer based groundwater use plan.
  4. 44Assistance in preparation of Integrated Watershed Development and Management Plan.
  5. 45Technical survey and supporting work.
  6. 46Groundwater Surveys and Development Agency to advise Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and urban local bodies in the non-notified areas.

Chapter VIII MISCELLANEOUS →

  1. 47Service of order.
  2. 48Directions by Government.
  3. 49Members and employees of State Authority and Watershed Water Resources Committee to be public servants.
  4. 50Protection of action taken in good faith.
  5. 51Bar to claim compensation.
  6. 52Offences and penalties.
  7. 53Offences by companies.
  8. 54Compounding of offences.
  9. 55Cognizance and trial of offences.
  10. 56Appeals.
  11. 57Power of Government to make Rules.
  12. 58Power to remove difficulties.
  13. 59Repeal and saving.

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