Amarinder orders disconnection of tubewells on agri land acquired for other purposes

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh ordered on Wednesday disconnection of tubewells located on agricultural land in the state that have been acquired and used for farmhouses or development of colonies.

Singh directed the secretary of Water Resources to identify such properties and make a list of the tubewell connections located on them, a move aimed at conservation of water resource, of which Punjab is facing growing scarcity, an official statement said.

"Any agricultural piece of land, which is no longer being used for the said purpose, and has been acquired for construction of a farmhouse or for colonisation by developers cannot be allowed to use tubewells," the chief minister asserted.

"Continued use of these tubewells would lead to further depletion of groundwater, the levels of which are fast declining in the state," he added.

The Water Resources Department has been directed to take immediate steps in this regard and take necessary action.

The groundwater level in the recent years has come down drastically in Punjab.

Earlier this month, Singh said the Punjab government could bring a legislation to conserve water and prevent the state from "going dry".

Chairing a meeting of urban renewal reforms consultative group, he had proposed to impose a penalty on those who waste water and default on bill payment.

"If needed, the state could go for a separate legislation to ensure conservation of water and prevent Punjab from going dry," Singh had said.