CHENNAI: Illegal extraction of ground water for commercial use is a punishable offence, Madras high court has said, directing officials to periodically check illegal extraction of water and initiate criminal prosecution against offenders.
Justice S M Subramaniam passed the order on a plea moved by U S Palanivel seeking strict implementation of two GOs passed in 1962 and 1967 for regulation of unauthorised pump sets installed on the banks of rivers and water channels.
"Water is life for every creature in this world. Without water, there is no life. Thus, equal distribution of water is of paramount importance and constitutional mandate," the judge said.
He then directed the Tamil Nadu government to consider and formulate a policy to regulate distribution of water for irrigation and other purposes, if not already formulated, in a judicious manner. "Such a policy is to be formulated taking into consideration the public interest involved," Justice Subramaniam said.
The benefit cannot be restricted to a few individuals alone. It has to be distributed by the government in such a manner keeping in mind the public interest and for all the citizens in equal manner without depriving anybody from getting water for various purposes, he added.
"Thus, the importance of utilisation of water must be sensitised and the policy of the government should ensure that no citizen is deprived of equal distribution of water," the judge said.
