Section 5(4) in The Chennai Metropolitan Area Groundwater (Regulation) Act, 1987
(4)On receipt of an-application under sub-section (2), if the competent authority is satisfied that it shall be in the public interest so to do, it may-(a)grant, on payment of such fees as may be prescribed and subject to such terms, conditions and restrictions as may be specified, a licence authorising-(i)[ the extraction or use of groundwater for any purpose other than domestic purposes; or] [Substituted for the words 'on payment of such fee as may be prescribed' by the Chennai Metropolitan Area Groundwater (Regulation) Amendment Act, 1997 (Tamil Nadu Act 29 of 1997) with effect from 10th May 1997.](ii)the transport of groundwater by means of lorry, trailer or any other goods vehicle; or(b)refuse to grant a licence:Provided that no person shall be refused a licence unless he has been given an opportunity of being heard:Provided further that where the competent authority to whom an application is made under sub-section (2), fails to inform the applicant of its decision on the application within a period of ninety days from the date of receipt of such application, the licence shall be deemed to have been granted to the applicant and such person shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to be a holder of a licence.
