‘Table report on illegal extraction of ground water in Nanganallur’

A division bench comprising Justice S Manikumar and Justice Subramonium Prasad sought for the report after pointing out that there are penal provisions in the Chennai Metropolitan Area Ground Water (Regulation) Act, 1987, which also empowers seizure and confiscation.

The petitioner RK Illayaraja had submitted that five persons—Soundararajan, Nagarajan, Sundar, Elumalai and Yuvaraj—who are owners of plots in third Street, Poonthotham Nanganallur, have dug borewells and are indulging in illegal extraction of ground water in and around Nanganallur and Palavanthangal from their respective lands throughout the day.

Though a complaint was lodged in this regard to the District Collector, police and other authorities May 28 and June 1 no action has come forth.

Hence, he had moved the court seeking action against the individuals indulging in illegal extraction of ground water, he said.

However, the bench on seeking to know as to what action has been taken from the date of receipt of the representation and why the vehicles involved have not been seized, said, “The Chennai Metropolitan Area Ground Water (Regulation) Act, 1987, is meant to regulate and control the extraction, use or transport of ground water and to conserve groundwater in certain areas in the State of Tamil Nadu and that the Act applies to the whole City of Chennai and certain revenue villages in Chengalpattu District.”

The bench on directing the petitioner to take steps for impleading the alleged violators posted the case for further hearing to June 24, when the report about the action taken must besubmitted.