Punjab mandates permits for high-volume groundwater extraction

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The North News

Chandigarh, March 27

The Punjab Water Regulation and Development Authority (PWRDA) has made it mandatory for industrial, commercial, institutional, and healthcare units to extract more than 300 cubic meters of groundwater per month to obtain official permission.

Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian announced the directive in the Vidhan Sabha during the ongoing budget session, stating that government inspection teams will monitor compliance. Units found extracting groundwater without authorization will face penalties, including Non-Compliance Charges (NCC) and Groundwater Compensation Charges (GCC). The PWRDA has urged all eligible entities to apply online for the necessary permits to avoid penalties and ensure sustainable water use.