Groundwater wont come free

BHUBANESWAR: In the wake of a spate of allegations of exploitation of groundwater by industries in the State, the Government on Wednesday introduced the Groundwater (Regulation, Development and Management) Bill, 2011 in the Assembly. The Bill envisages setting up a Groundwater Authority to enforce various provisions to prevent quantitative and qualitative degradation and extraction of water beyond the scope of its natural recharge. Though the average stage of groundwater development in the State is low in comparison to other states of the country, utilisation of groundwater in some of the blocks is more intensive. There are wide variations in the pattern of groundwater recharge, vis-a-vis its utilisation.The prevailing situation is likely to be impacted due to increasing urbanisation, industrialisation and climatic changes, the Bill said. According to groundwater survey, the average ground water utilisation in the State is only 26 per cent. However, the exploitation is to the extent of 50 per cent and more in 26 blocks. The high exploitation is noticed in Balasore, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Mayurbhanj districts.  The proposed groundwater authority in consultation with experts in the field will identify the problematic areas in the State and advise the Government to notify the areas where users of groundwater will have to seek prior permission of the Government for extraction for domestic and agricultural use. The authority will maintain a database of all existing and new wells for regular monitoring of the groundwater status in the State. All the rig owners operating in the State will be registered with the authority. The Bill proposes to make rooftop rainwater harvesting mandatory in urban areas and this provision will be enforced by respective development authorities and urban local bodies. The proposal got the nod of the State Cabinet on February 14. Though the Government decided to introduce a Bill for regulation of ground water in the Budget session of the Assembly, it was not possible. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Raghunath Mohanty introduced the Bill in the Assembly on behalf of the Chief Minister. He also moved the Orissa Sales Tax (Settlement of arrears) Bill, 2011 in  the absence of Finance Minister PC Ghadei.