SUB-GROUP ON LEGAL ISSUES RELATED TO GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT AND REGULATION, INCLUDING THE STRENGTHENING OF THE GROUNDWATER REGULATORY AUTHORITIES AT THE CENTRE AND STATES

The Sub Group on “Legal Issues related to groundwater management and regulation, including the strengthening of the groundwater regulatory authorities at the Centre and States” was tasked with reviewing national and international experience in developing groundwater legal regimes; considering ways in which groundwater legislation can effectively implement the priority given to drinking/domestic water; considering ways in which new principles governing access to groundwater can be best implemented, taking into account the long historical development of existing rights; reviewing ways in which groundwater legislation can contribute to the implementation of constitutional principles related to decentralisation; reviewing national and international experience in developing institutional frameworks governing groundwater that ensure equitable and sustainable conservation and use of groundwater; reviewing existing groundwater legislation and prepare a draft groundwater bill taking into account all the above considerations and reflecting the contemporary groundwater situation across the country.