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Headline: NGT Orders Crackdown on Illegal Water Tanker and RO Water Mafia; BESCOM to Cut Power Supply

In Mulbagal Taluk, especially in Mulbagal town and the nearby Kasaba Hobli, numerous illegal practices are being established through corrupt means. Why is the system blind to this issue and acting as if they don’t care about environmental concerns and the directions of the Supreme Court and the Green Tribunal? Is the system losing its constitutional values and disregarding the future of our country?

In Mulbagal Taluk, especially in Mulbagal town and the nearby Kasaba Hobli, numerous illegal practices are being established through corrupt means. Why is the system blind to this issue and acting as if they don’t care about environmental concerns and the directions of the Supreme Court and the Green Tribunal? Is the system losing its constitutional values and disregarding the future of our country?

There are rumors that bribes are reaching the Municipal Commissioner, Tahsildar, and some corrupt officials in the administration, as well as legislators. The root cause of this is the unauthorized and shamelessly ongoing corrupt water trade, despite the directives of the Supreme Court of India. It remains to be seen what steps the legislators will take to address this issue and restore public trust in the administration.

New Delhi, July 24, 2023 – In a decisive move to combat the illegal extraction of groundwater, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) panel, led by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sheo Kumar Singh, Chairperson, along with Hon’ble Mr. Justice Arun Kumar Tyagi, Judicial Member, and Hon’ble Dr. A. Senthil Vel, Expert Member, has issued strict directives to stop and seal illegal water tanker and RO water mafia operations. The tribunal also mandated that BESCOM officers must cut off power supply to illegal borewells, emphasizing the need for immediate action to address the current environmental crisis and future water scarcity.

The applicant, Mr. Pritipal Sharma, appeared in person, presenting evidence of unauthorized groundwater extraction by tanker mafias and RO plants. The respondents included Ms. Jyoti Mendiratta, Advocate, with Mr. Shashi Pal, SDM, Mehrauli, and Mr. Radhey Sham, SDM, Saket, along with Ms. Sakshi Popli, Advocate, representing the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).

Consequences for Violators:

  1. Sealing of Illegal Borewells: Immediate sealing of illegal borewells and tubewells to halt groundwater extraction.
  2. Environmental Compensation (EC): Imposition of environmental compensation for illegal groundwater extraction, calculated based on CPCB guidelines.
  3. Disconnection of Electricity: Collaboration with BESCOM to disconnect power supply to illegal borewells.
  4. Prosecution: Legal action under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, or the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
  5. Penalties for Repeated Violations: Increased penalties for repeated violations, with EC being 1.25 times the previous amount for repeat offenders.
  6. Closure of Non-Compliant Industries: Immediate closure of industries operating without proper consent or No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) or other concerned departments.

The NGT emphasized that failure to comply with the Supreme Court’s directions would result in serious consequences for the responsible officers. This decisive action aims to protect the environment and ensure sustainable groundwater management in towns and rural areas.

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