GROUND WATER ACT:-
For proper utilization of ground water resources through effective management, control and regulation, an Act titled ‘West Bengal Ground Water Resources (Management, Control & Regulation) Act, 2005’ was enacted and Rules thereof was finalized and came into force with effect from 1st August 2006. In the sub-section 5 of section 3 of the West Bengal Ground Water Resources (Management, Control and Regulation) Act, 2005, the State Water Investigation Directorate (SWID) has been declared as the functional organ of the State Level Ground Water Resources Development authority. The functions of the SWID involve investigation and assessment of the ground water resources of the state and provide data and findings to the State Level Ground Water Resources Development authority for framing appropriate policy and guide lines, so that the same may be followed for effective control and regulation of the ground water resources. SWID is also responsible for implementation of the West Bengal Ground Water Resources (Management, Control & Regulation) Act, The act stipulates obtaining mandatory permit for installation of ground water extraction structures operated by engine or motor driven pump and mandatory certificate of registration for all such structures which existed before the act came into force. Issue of permit will require payment of prescribed fees whereas registration has been made free of cost.
The main objective of this Act is to regulate the use of Ground Water in a specific and scientific manner.
Accordingly this Act stipulates two systems:-
- “Registration of Existing Wells” sunk prior to the date of coming into force of the Act, i.e. 15 th September, 2005 which amended vide No: 139 dated 13 th September, 2011.
- Issue of “Permit for new Wells” on and from 15 th September, 2005. Wells without any device of Mechanical/ Electrical Pumping system does not require any certification. Further criterion for exemption notified vide No: 189 dated 3 rd November, 2011, which permits sinking of wells upto the discharge limit of 30 meter cube per hour using 5 HP Pumps in safe blocks without obtaining permit.
Wells without any device of Mechanical/ Electrical Pumping system does not require any certification.
Three different tiers of authorities as provided in the Act are established by the Government in the water Resources Investigation & Development Department. These authorities are:-
- State Level Ground Water Resources Development Authority at Kolkata.
- Corporation Level Ground Water Resources Development Authority at Kolkata for the Kolkata Municipal Corporation Area.
- District Level Ground Water Resources Development Authority – 1 (one) in each of the 18 (eighteen) districts of the State.
In the State Level Authority, Director, State Water Investigation Directorate (SWID) is the Chairman and Superintending Geologist, State Water Investigation Directorate (SWID) is the Member-Secretary.
In the Corporation Level Authority, the Municipal Commissioner of the Ko;kata Municipal Corporation is the Chairman and Superintending Geologist, State Water Investigation Directorate (SWID) is the Member-Secretary.
In the district Level Authority in each district, District Magistrate of the concerned district is the Chairman and Geologist, State Water Investigation Directorate (SWID) is the Member-Secretary.
Besides the Chairman and the Member-Secretary, in each of the three Authorities there are representatives from different user/related Departments as Member.
Application Form for obtaining “Permit” (Form 1)is available from the Office of the Geologist & Member Secretary, of the respective District Level Authority in 18 districts of the State.
Application Form for “Registration of Existing Wells” (Form 6)is available from the respective Block Development Offices where the Well is situated.
Both the application for “Permit”&“Registration of Existing Wells” is placed before the DLA meeting for final disposal. The “Permit”&“Registration of Existing Wells”is issued by the Office of the Geologist & Member Secretary, of the respective District Level Authority.