Alwar : the entire state is facing water crisis, but industries are drawing water without NOC. The Union Ministry of Water Power has imposed a fine of 276.17 crores on 42 thousand industries in 108 industrial areas of Rajasthan for over exploitation of groundwater. This is environmental compensation fee. The ministry has also written a letter to the chairman of RIICO to deposit the environmental compensation fee. When the fine was not deposited by RIICO, the Central Ground Water Authority filed a case in NGT on groundwater exploitation by industrial areas across the state. Justice Shiv Kumar Singh has sought answers from the concerned officials regarding groundwater. After this, the Union Ministry of Water Power came into action. The ministry has imposed the highest fine of 21.25 crores on industrial area Bhiwadi (1-4).
Fines imposed in industrial areas of these districts
Similarly, environmental compensation fine of Rs 3.39 crore has been imposed on Matsya Industrial Area Alwar, Rs 7.25 crore on Reico Industrial Area Neemrana Alwar, Neemrana I, NIC Neemrana, Neemrana II area, Rs 1.16 crore on Reico Jaipur South Malviya Industrial Area, Rs 3.72 crore on Reico Industrial Area Kaladera Jaipur, Rs 3.75 crore on Roco Industrial Area Bichwal Bikaner. Apart from this, fine has been imposed on industrial areas of districts like Udaipur, Sirohi, Karauli, Khairthal, Sikar, Mali, Churu, Sawai Madhopur, Dhaulpur, Jhunjhunu, Barmer, Ajmer etc.
These districts have the highest groundwater exploitation
The maximum groundwater exploitation is happening in Alwar, Jaipur, Bikaner, Khairthal and Tijara districts. Notices have been issued to the concerned RIICO industrial areas by the regional investor MS Rathore of the Ministry of Water Power. Now, after the officials’ reply is received in the court, the next hearing will be held on November 8.
