Dr. Yashpal Singh on CGWA Guidelines 2020 & U. P. Ground Water (Management and Regulation) Act, 2019
The CGWA in the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation has notified the guidelines to regulate and control ground water abstraction in the Country. These guidelines have a PAN India applicability but regulation by the CGWA is only provided to continue in those States which are not themselves regulating ground water abstraction. NOC will be granted by the CGWA or where there is a State Mechanism, by the State Authority as applicable. In case of any inconsistencies in State and CGWA guidelines, the guidelines of the CGWA will prevail over the State Guidelines. The State can however prescribe stricter provisions. Because of conflicting and ambiguous provisions between the Central and State provisions, the understanding of these two directives is difficult and the user is in a dilemma. Some issues which are difficult to comprehend but which may be very critical to the implementation of the guidelines and/ or the State Laws in this matter specifically with reference to existing industries in notified areas have been discussed.