Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of  Khem Chand Vs State of Uttar Pradesh dated 03/01/2023.

The matter is related to illegal extraction of groundwater through submersible pump for sale in Ghaziabad area of Uttar Pradesh. The area is already in the category of “over exploited area” and thereby not only contaminating groundwater but also creating scarcity in the availability of drinking water to the local residents, the application filed by Khem Chand, an advocate by profession read.

The court directed the constitution of a joint committee comprising the Haryana State Pollution Control Board and Uttar Pradesh Groundwater Department. The committee has been asked to submit a factual report within two months and the SPCB will be nodal agency for coordination and compliance.