"Identify Points Of Illegal Extraction Of Ground Water And Seal Them Immediately": NGT Asks Rajasthan Govt.

The National Green Tribunal has directed the Central Ground Water Authority of Rajasthan (CGWA) to identify points of illegal extraction of ground water in Jodhpur and seal them immediately.

The bench of Justice Raghuvendra S. Rathore and Dr. Satyawan Singh Garbyal was addressing a batch of 6 applications, filed against the concerned authorities of State of Rajasthan, seeking relief against unauthorized district units that were polluting agricultural fields in Jodhpur.

In this regard, the Tribunal had constituted a Special Task Force by an order dated May 17, with an aim to prevent environment pollution in the city.

On August 2, the Tribunal had directed the CGWA to "promptly identify the points where such illegal extraction of groundwater is being undertaken and seal them immediately after calling upon the Special Task Force, which has been constituted by the Tribunal and stationed at Jodhpur. They may simultaneously inform the authorized officer i.e. the District Collector. The Electricity Board be also informed for the purpose of disconnecting the electricity to such borewells or points where illegal extraction of ground water is being done. Subsequently, CGWA has to proceed, in accordance to law, for recovery of environmental compensation from such defaulters who are found illegally extracting the groundwater".

The court reiterated this order during the proceedings on August 30, delimiting the authority to take appropriate actions and to file a report within one week from the date of order. The matter has been posted for September 20.

The Applicants were represented by Advocates Jaideep Singh and Eysha Marysha. Counsel for CGWA remained absent. 

Click Here To Download Order

[Read Order]