Gujarat Assembly passes bill for protection of water in distribution system; provision for upto 2 years jail

Gandhinagar: The Government of Gujarat today moved a bill for protection of water resources and distribution system namely ‘Gujarat Ghar Vaprash Pani Purvatha (Samrakshan) Vidheyak, 2019’. Following are the highlights of provisions made in this bill which was passed today in the State assembly.

– Serious offenses such as damage to water distribution system, obstructing or blocking of water flow will attract 3 months to 2 year imprisonment or fine of Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 1 lakh or both.

– Unauthorized connection of water, lifting of more than approved water will attract Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000 fine.

– Provision of similar punishment to those assisting such crime.

– Provision of double punishment for officials or staffers involved in such crime

– Provision of settlement in exchange of prescribed amount of fine

– The authority will have power to check at any water distribution system where water is lifted in unauthorized manner

– Provision to seize the equipment used

– Accused will need to pay for damage

– Provision of appeal

– Metering at source and auditing of source and distribution system

– Area authority, municipal corporation, municipality, gram panchayat, Gujarat water supply and gutter board, Gujarat water infrastructure ltd and agencies authorized by the State government are covered under the bill for areas under their purview. Coverage of Board and GWIL will be effective for entire state.

DeshGujarat