Date:04/11/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/11/04/stories/2004110401941700.htm

Back Finalise changes in WALT Act, YSR tells officials

Our Bureau

Hyderabad , Nov. 03

THE Chief Minister, Dr Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has asked the officials to finalise the draft amendments to Water, Land and Tree (WALT) Act quickly. He also wanted the officials to give more teeth to the Act so as to arrest exploitation of the fast depleting groundwater resources in the State.

Reviewing the status of proposed amendments to WALT Act here on Wednesday, the Chief Minister said that obtaining permission from the Ground Water Department should be made compulsory even for drilling bore wells for drinking water. He suggested installation of metres at some pump sets so as to monitor and take remedial action in case of over-use of groundwater.

The officials informed Dr Reddy that a new clause providing for confiscation of machinery had been incorporated in the Act. Similarly, they said, there was a proposal to declare that groundwater was over-exploited in 1,992 villages across 251 mandals in the State.