PANAJI
You could end up coughing up a mammoth, million-rupee fine if authorities establish that a leaking soak pit, tank or a contaminated well in your property is polluting natural aquifers.
Water Resources chief engineer, P B Badami, who also doubles up as ex-officio Additional Secretary to the State government, has notified rules under the Goa Ground Water Regulation Act, envisaging more stringent measures to protect groundwater resources and massively spike the penalties for violators.
Those found polluting or contaminating groundwater through injection of treated or untreated water into the natural aquifer systems will now be fined up to a whopping Rs 10 lakh, the rules contained in a notification published in the official gazette said.
According to the new rules, officials will have the powers to seal and recover costs from the property owner of any well which has been sunk in violation of the groundwater law. Additionally a fine of up to half-a-million rupees (Rs 5-lakh) could be imposed on the offender.
The rules under the groundwater law in the State were framed back in 2003 and the current notification issued by Badami is the first time they are being amended to enhance penalties. These amended rules come into immediate effect.
Other violations, including obstructing 'Ground Water Officer' or any other person authorized by the officer from carrying out his mandate under this law, entail a fine of Rs one-lakh for the first offence and higher fines of up to Rs 5 lakh for subsequent violations.
The exact quantum of fines are to be decided by the 'Goa Ground Water
Board', the rules state.
The rules also clamp down on the local water tanker businesses. Water transporters who fail to comply with any provision of the law and/or legally or illegally supply contaminated or polluted groundwater will also be punishable with a fine of Rs 5 lakh for first offence and higher quantums of fines which could go up to Rs 10 lakh for second and subsequent violations.
