HC asks govt to list steps taken to curb illegal groundwater extraction

Madurai: The Madras high court on Friday directed the state government to file a counter on the steps taken to prevent illegal extraction of groundwater and the timeline for passing a legislation to monitor the extraction of groundwater
A division bench of justice M Sathyanarayanan and justice P Rajamanickam was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by J John Amalraj, secretary of the Ramanathapuram District Consumer Rights Protection Association, who sought to prevent the illegal extraction of water by restraining the setting up of wells at Meyyampuli, Nochivadi, and Semmadam region at Rameswaram in Ramanathapuram district.
The petitioner said that The Tamil Nadu Ground Water (Development and Management) Act, 2003 is the only legislation to regulate the illegal extraction of groundwater, However, the same came to be repealed in 2013 with an objective to bring a better legislation. Though seven years have passed, no proposals were made to bring any legislation regarding the protection and regulation of groundwater in the state.
He added that a GO was passed by the government in 2014 to regularize the extraction of groundwater for commercial purpose and drinking purpose. Though Rameswaram was categorized as a semi-critical zone for extracting groundwater, people are engaged in illegal extraction of water.
At present, the authorities have planned to set up wells and since the proposed site falls within 2km from the coastal area, it is in violation with the GO. Hence, the petitioner moved the court seeking not to set up the wells.