PWRDA launches online permission portal for granting permissions for groundwater extraction

Chandigarh, September 6:

          Punjab Water Regulation & Development Authority (PWRDA) has launched an online permission portal for granting permissions for groundwater extraction.

          Disclosing this here today in a press communiqué, PWRDA Chairman Karan Avtar Singh said that portal has been launched to simplify the process of obtaining permissions for groundwater extraction, operating drilling rigs and water tanker in Punjab under the Punjab Ground Water Extraction and Conservation Directions 2023.

          He further said that to apply for online permission, all Groundwater Users may visit https://pwrda.punjab.gov.in/.It is linked with Invest Punjab Business First Portal (BIF).For a step-wise guide, access the user manual at https://pwrda.punjab.gov.in/en/noticeboard/3. All groundwater charges can be paid online by using Net Banking, Debit/ Credit Card, UPI etc.

          The last date for existing users extracting volume exceeding 15,000 cubic meters per month was 30th June 2023. Whereas the for users’ extracting within the range of 1,500 to 15,000 cubic meters per month the last date is 30th September 2023.

          For users extracting less than 1,500 Cubic meters per month and more than 300 cubic metres per month the last date to apply for permission is 31st December 2023.

          Extraction of groundwater without applying for permission, in accordance with the directions, within the stipulated time period shall attract imposition of groundwater compensation charges (GCC) in addition to other non-compliance charges.

          All users must apply in time to avoid non-compliance charges. GCC shall be calculated slab-wise on the daily volume of water extracted in contravention of the directions for each day of contravention.

          No User shall extract groundwater or conduct any activity connected therewith without obtaining permission of the authority except for drinking and domestic usage, exclusive usage in agriculture, use in a place of worship, drinking and domestic water supply scheme of Government, use by an establishment of the Military or of the Central Paramilitary Forces, an Urban Local Body, Panchayati Raj Institution, Cantonment Board, Improvement Trust or Area Development Authority and a unit extracting not more than 300 cubic metres of groundwater per month.