Section 15 in Punjab Water Resources (Management and Regulation) Act, 2020
15. Powers to issue directions and impose restrictions.
(1)The Authority shall ensure development, management and conservation of water resources of the State in accordance with the Integrated State Water Plan.(2)The Authority may issue directions regarding the development, management, or use of water which may include the following, namely:-(i)construction and installation of any new structure for extraction of groundwater through energized means;(ii)conditions subject to which the construction and installation of any new or existing water extracting structures may be allowed;(iii)conditions for operation of existing water extracting structures and their reinstallation;(iv)restrictions on the utilization of groundwater;(v)installation and maintenance of instruments for measuring the quality and level of ground water and for volumetric measurement of the quantum of ground water extraction;(vi)specifying areas in which an industrial operation or process or class of industrial operations or processes utilizing groundwater shall not be carried out or shall be carried out subject to certain conditions and safeguards;(vii)optimal use of surface water for irrigation, industrial or domestic use;(viii)efficient use of water and to minimize the wastage or misuse of water and to promote recycling and reuse of water;(ix)water conservation and groundwater recharge, including rain water harvesting;(x)drilling or digging of wells for extraction of groundwater without registration with the Authority or with such entity, as may be stipulated by the Authority;(xi)users drawing groundwater to register the extraction structure with the Authority or with such entity, as may be stipulated by the Authority within a given period; and(xii)any other directions, as may be considered necessary to achieve the objectives of this Act:Provided that no directions shall be issued for extraction of water for drinking and domestic use.(3)No direction(s) issued by the Authority under sub-section (2) shall come into force unless a notice in this regard is published in not less than two newspapers, including at least one daily regional language newspaper having wide circulation in the State.(4)Any person may file written objection(s) against the proposed direction(s) along with such fee, as may be specified, within one month from the date of its publication.(5)The Authority shall consider and settle all objections received against such direction(s) expeditiously and notify the final directions on such date, as it may deem fit.(6)Where the direction(s) is issued by the Authority to any specific person, such person shall be bound to implement such direction(s) of the Authority within such time, as may be stipulated by the Authority:Provided that before issuing any direction(s) to a specific person, the Authority shall give him an opportunity to be heard after a notice of not less than fifteen days.(7)The Authority may, from time to time, issue advisories to the Government regarding policies and programs for development, management and conservation of water. These may include advisories regarding the following, namely: -(i)sustainable operation and maintenance of the water infrastructure and delivery systems within the State;(ii)utilization and storage of surface runoff;(iii)optimum utilization of the irrigation potential created in the State;(iv)fixing priorities for use of canal water for different purposes;(v)adoption of the latest technologies in the water sector;(vi)promoting water conservation awareness;(vii)detection and prevention of contamination of water; and(viii)increasing water efficiency in agriculture and other sectors.(8)The Authority may publish or cause to be published such reports to disseminate scientific data and information to generate public awareness about water and its management after deliberations with the Advisory Committee
