Report on illegal ground water extraction in Tirupur dist sought

The division bench comprising Justice S Manikumar and Justice Subramonoium Prasad before whom a plea regards four persons resorting to illegal extraction of water came up, said, “On inspection, if the District Collector, District Revenue Officer, Revenue Divisional Officer and Tahsildar, Madathukulam, finds that no prior permission is granted for extracting water and transportation of the same, action has to be taken for seizing of the vehicles, motor pump-sets and other properties used.”

Also, the bench highlighted an earlier order of the Court, which insisted that the administration should not grant licence, No Objection Certificate (NOC) or permission for the commercial establishments/person to extract ground water for commercial usage in the absence of fixation of water Flow Meter on the Board outlet, which is to be inspected.

Based on this the bench also reiterated that GO Ms No 142 Public Works (R2) Department dated 23.07.2014 is applicable to all the districts and the directions issued therein have to be followed in letterand spirit.

The petitioner had alleged illegal extraction of water and sale by SK Dhandapani of Moolaivaikkal Thottam and S Ramakrishnan, P Duraisamy and N Palani Gounder of Sengalanipudhur. He had further submitted that his representations in this regard on May 30 and June 28, 2019 had failed to evoke any response.

The bench while ordering notice to the four district officials including the Collector also ordered private notice to the four persons accused of water theft.