19-Groundwater Governance - Ownership and its Pricing.

Abstract

Tamil Nadu is an agrarian State and in the absence of any perennial river, ground water is used for agricultural purposes. Over-exploitation of ground water has led to rise in OE and critical blocks and is mainly attributed to its indiscriminate withdrawal and absence of any regularatory system to monitor and regulate its use. Two acts have been enacted in Tamil Nadu during 1987 and 2003. The Chennai Metropolitan Area Ground Water (Regulation) Act in 1987 is being implemented in Chennai city and specified 302 villages in Kancheepuram and Thiruvallur districts. The Ground Water Development and Management Act, 2003 has been enacted during 2003 for areas not covered under the 1987 Act. This Act is based on Model Bill circulated by Govt. of India and provides suitable measures for regulation of groundwater development in the State. The ownership of ground water needs be vested with the State Government by making suitable amendments to the constitution to bring Ground Water under 'State Subject' in order to implement the recommendations of the 'Revised National Water Policy'. The issue of pricing of ground water has gained importance in the present groundwater development scenario. A Dual Pricing System can be introduced by the government to regulate the use of ground water. This paper deals with above issues in detail.