Chief Minister N Rangasamy told the Legislative assembly on Tuesday that the Puducherry administration is committed to protecting groundwater, the main source of drinking water and agriculture.

Agriculture minister M Chandrakasu said the administration was taking steps in regulating the construction of tube wells by industries to prevent depletion of water table. Tubewells can be constructed by industries only after obtaining permission from the state groundwater authority as per existing rules. Those constructing tubewells without permission are made to close the borewells with due notice by the State Groundwater authority besides imposing penalty.