PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed authorities to initiate strict penal action against those responsible for constructing 43 illegal borewells in Chimbel, with violators liable to a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh under the Goa Water Regulation Act.
Hearing the matter on Wednesday, the Court directed the concerned Groundwater Officer to identify the individuals responsible for the unauthorised borewells and initiate proceedings against them in accordance with law.
The Court also instructed the Secretary of the Chimbel Village Panchayat to furnish details of the residences suspected to be linked to the illegal borewells, to facilitate the investigation and enforcement process.
The directions came after the Court took on record an affidavit and survey plan filed by the Water Resources Department (WRD), which stated that all 43 illegal borewells identified in Chimbel had been sealed as part of an enforcement drive.
Referring to the amended Section 17 of the Goa Water Regulation Act, which came into force on July 21, 2023, the Court observed that digging a well or borewell without the requisite permit is an offence. Under Section 17(b), offenders are liable to a penalty of up to Rs 5 lakh.
During the previous hearing, the High Court had expressed dissatisfaction over the slow pace of enforcement against illegal borewells. It had directed the WRD not to entertain any applications for regularisation of such borewells in the area and asked the department’s Secretary to personally monitor the matter to ensure prompt implementation of the law.
The Court was also informed that 12 persons who had allegedly constructed illegal borewells had subsequently applied for their regularisation.
