Question: Consider the following statements with reference to the Ground Water Act:
(1) It makes registration mandatory for installing submersible pumps.
(2) A person caught polluting the groundwater level for the first time will be punished from 6 months to 1 year with a penalty ranging from Rs 2-5 lakhs.
(a) Only (1)
(b) Only (2)
(c) Both (1) and (2)
(d) None of the above
Answer: (c)
Related facts:
- On February 11, 2020, Uttar Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath approved the Ground Water Act-2020 to improve the falling groundwater level.
- The Ground Water Act makes registration mandatory for installing submersible pumps. An online registration facility has been made available for the same.
- Besides this, the UP government has made rainwater harvesting system mandatory in all private and government schools and colleges.
Ground Water Act-2020:
- The Ground Water Act-2020 is aimed at improving the quality of the groundwater level.
- Under the Act, farmers as well as domestic users will not be required to pay any amount to use the pumps.
- The Act also provides for strict punishment and penalty against those who pollute the groundwater through boring pipes.
- Under the Act, all boring companies will need to get their registration done. They will also have to update all the information in every three months.
- Further, the map of government and private buildings will be cleared when they have a provision to install rainwater harvesting system.
Punishment:
- A person caught polluting the groundwater level for the first time will be punished from 6 months to 1 year with a penalty ranging from Rs 2-5 lakhs.
- The person caught in the act for the second time will have to face punishment for up to 2-5years and pay a penalty of Rs 5-10lakh.
- A person caught for the third time will face punishment from 5-7 years and will have to pay penalty amounting to Rs 10-20 lakhs.
Links
https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/up-govt-brings-ground-water-act-2020-to-improve-ground-water-levels20200211232256/
https://www.southasianweekender.ca/2020-02-13/the-government-of-up-approves-ground-water-act-2020/