Report filed by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board regarding illegal extraction of groundwater by water units, Maharashtra, 27/10/2022

Report filed by the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board in the matter of Vijaysigh Dubbal & Others Vs MPCB & Others dated 27/10/2022.

The matter related to illegal extraction of groundwater by units involved in water selling business.

The SPCB report said that it has issued directions to 433  Municipal Corporations/ Zilla Parishad/ Municipal Councils/ Nagar Panchayats/ Cantonment Boards in 2020 and had directed them to identify the "illegal activities of cool water can, chilled water jar units doing water selling business" which falls under their jurisdiction and take appropriate action against the said units.

The Central Ground Water Authority, through the notification, September 24, 2020 states that those units which are drawing ground water more than 10 cum per day would be required to obtain 'no objection certificate' from the Central Ground Water Authority.

The concerned local body should ensure that the units who are drawing ground water more than 10 cubic meters per day have obtained NOC from the Central Groundwater Authority and also ensure that they have obtained license/registration under the Food, Safety and Standard Act, 2006 from Food, Safety and Standard Authority of India, the report said.