SC notice to Centre, Delhi govt on pricing of groundwater

The Supreme Court today sought responses from the Centre and Delhi government on a plea seeking metering and pricing of groundwater for its excessive extraction and ensure prevention of wastage.
A bench, headed by Justice T S Thakur, issued notices to the Ministry of Water Resources and the city government and sought their replies within 6 weeks.
The apex court was hearing a plea by one Ramesh Ailawadi who claimed that government has "completely abdicated its responsibility of regulating the usage of this precious and valuable natural resource(ground water)".
Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for Ailawadi, told the court that wastage of groundwater in huge quantity and its depletion has reached alarming proportions, which is a matter of grave concern.

"Groundwater forms part of the various natural resources that have been imparted to us by the nature. The government authorities are the guardian to such natural resources and, therefore, bear a heavy responsibility to lead the country in sustainable and equitable use of such resources.
"The alarming depletion of groundwater is asking for urgent attention, where its highly inequitable use is causing its severe shortage, because of which millions of people have been deprived of its access. The future scenario is even grimmer," the petition said.