Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Groundwater Extraction Permission

Ans.   The Directions come into force from 1st February 2023.

Ans.   All non-exempt Users have to pay volumetric Groundwater charges from 1st February 2023. See Paras 3.1 and 4.6 of the Directions.

Ans.   Users extracting Groundwater exclusively for Drinking and Domestic usage, for exclusive usage in Agriculture are fully exempted. In addition, places of worship, drinking Water Supply Schemes of Government, Establishments of the Military and Central Paramilitary Forces, Urban Local Bodies, Panchayati Raj Institutions, Cantonment Boards, Improvement Trusts and Area Development Authorities are also exempt. Also, a Unit extracting not more than 300 cubic metres of groundwater per month is exempt.

 All other Users are required to apply. (Para 3.1 of the Directions)

Ans.   Refer Para 3.2 of the Directions.

Application for Permission to extract Groundwater can be submitted online at https://pwrda.punjab.gov.in

Ans.  Application for Permission to extract Groundwater can be submitted online at https://pwrda.punjab.gov.in. The documents are to be uploaded, wherever required, while filling the application. An indicative list of the documents required is available on the permission portal.

Ans.   The time Period allowed for existing Units to apply for Permission is as follows:

 

Volume of groundwater for which Permission is sought

Last date to apply for Permission

1

>15,000 cubic metres per month

30th June 2023

2

>1,500 to 15,000 cubic metres per month

30th November 2023

3

>300 to 1,500 cubic metres per month

30th June 2024

For existing Water Tankers and Power Operated Drilling Rigs, the last date to apply for permission is extended to 30th June, 2024

Ans.   An existing User not applying for permission within stipulated time period shall be liable to pay Groundwater compensation charges on a daily basis for the volume of water extracted (Paras 6.2 and 6.3 of the Directions) in addition to the payment of Non-compliance charges for delay (Para 6.5 and Item.11 of Table 6.2 of the Directions) on the overdue amount for the grace period as per dates given in Question. 6

Ans.   Refer Para 3.4 of the Directions. A new Unit has to obtain permission prior to the extraction of groundwater. It is recommended that a new Unit should apply for permission at least 3 months prior to its expected commencement of groundwater extraction.

Ans.   Refer Para 3.4 of the Directions. A new Unit which plans to commence Groundwater extraction by 31st March 2023, can apply for permission after it commences extraction provided the application is submitted by 1st April 2023.

Ans.   Refer Para 3.5 of the Directions. Normally, permission would be granted within three months from the date of receipt of an application complete in all respects.

Ans.   The permission shall, unless cancelled/revoked earlier, be valid for a period of three years from the date of its grant. Refer para 3.9 of the Directions.

Ans.    Yes. In case the User has such NOC, which has not expired, then it shall be considered by PWRDA while granting permission. Refer para 3.15 of the Directions.

Ans.   A user applying for permission within the stipulated time period (See Table 3.1 of the Directions) shall have to pay Application Fees for Permission and Registration of Extraction Structure (Sr.no. 1 & 4 of Table 4.1 of the Directions), Security Deposit equivalent to two months of Groundwater Extraction Charges (Para 4.3 of the Directions), Groundwater Charges from 1st February 2023 till the last day of the month preceding to the month in which Application is submitted. E.g., if the User submits an application in April 2023, it must clear Groundwater dues upto March 2023.

Ans.   Yes, Refer Para 4.3 of the Directions. A Security Deposit equal to two months of Groundwater extraction charges for the permitted volume.

Ans.   No interest shall accrue on the Security Deposit.

Ans.   Yes. Each User shall install a water meter (as per required specifications) and shall record monthly readings and pay as per volume (cubic meters) of groundwater extracted. The Groundwater extraction charges are to be determined on a self-assessment basis in accordance with the self-recorded and reported water meter readings.

Ans.   A Cubic Meter is equal to 1000 liters or one Kilolitre of water.

Ans.   The State of Punjab has been divided into three zones–Orange, Yellow and Green, based on criticality of groundwater. Groundwater charges are fixed on the basis of the zone in which a Unit is located. See Map of Punjab.

Ans.   All the blocks and three cities (Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar) have been categorized in three zones–Orange, Yellow, Green based on their groundwater criticality. For your Zone see Map of Punjab. The charges for each zone are given in Table 4.2 of the Directions.

Ans.   The charges for each zone are given in Table 4.2 of the Directions. The calculation for a Unit in ORANGE Zone is explained with an example below:

Example: Calculation of monthly Ground Water Charges

 Calculation of Ground water charges to be paid if a unit located in Orange Zone, extracts 35,000 m3 of Ground Water in a month and does not undertake any water conservation activity.

S No.

Description

 

1

Volume of Water Extracted in a month

35,000 m3

2

Assessment area

Orange

3

Ground Water Charges Payable without any water conservation

 

Amount

(in Rs.)

 i.Up to 300 m3

ii. >300-1500 m3 @ Rs. 8 x 1200                

iii. >1500-15000m3@ Rs.12 x 13500           

iv. >15000-35000 m3@ Rs.18 x 20000        

Total                                                   

=  0

=  9,600

=  1,62,000

=  3,60,000

=  5,31,600

Ans.   No. The charges exclude taxes. GST (as may be applicable) and arrears of GST (if any) from the date which the Authority may specify, at the rates as determined by the Government/Authority shall be payable.

Ans.   A User shall install the required water meters latest within three months of the date of Permission. However, all Users are advised to install water meters of the required specification immediately.

Ans.   Within time limit of three months from the date of Permission,

  • If water meters are installed on all extraction structures (even if not of required specifications), the User shall pay groundwater extraction charges based on the water meter readings
  • If water meters are not installed, the User shall pay groundwater extraction charges for the entire volume permitted.

Ans.   In such case, the User shall be liable to pay Groundwater Compensation Charges for the entire permitted volume of groundwater for each day of Non-compliance. See Paras 6.2 and 6.3 of the Directions.

Ans.   The required specifications for Mechanical water flow meters for Users permitted groundwater extraction upto 1,500 cubic metres per month and the specifications of digital flow water meters with telemetry for Users permitted groundwater extraction more than 1,500 cubic metres per month are available on the website.

Ans.   Users have to pay Groundwater extraction charges on a self-assessment basis in accordance with the self-recorded and reported water meter readings. The Authority may verify the water meter readings either periodically or at any time. Refer Para 4.8 of the Directions.

Ans.   Water meter readings of the last working day of the month by the 20th of the ensuing month shall be conveyed. Refer Para 4.8 C of the Directions

Ans.   The User shall submit the self-assessed charges based on the water meter readings in the prescribed Performa by the 20th of the ensuing month by email to gwebilling.pwrda@punjab.gov.in, or by post or deliver to the Office of PWRDA.

Ans.   The payment can be made by the 20th day of the month through online transfer to HDFC Bank Account 50100071567691, IFSC: HDFC 0000035 of the Authority through Debit Card or any digital means such as Net Banking, NEFT, RTGS and a duly filled payment challan sent by mail to gwebilling.pwrda@punjab.gov.in, or by post or delivered to the Office of PWRDA.

Ans.  Yes, such unit shall apply to the Authority for permission. Drinking and Domestic usage is completely exempted, but the unit requires permission for other usage. Such unit shall install water meters to provide actual volume of Groundwater for different usages.

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