SC raps States on underground water

New Delhi, July 07: The Supreme Court has questioned states here on Thursday, whether or not it would implement a mammoth plan prepared by the central government to artificially increase groundwater reserves. The bench of Chief Justice J.S Khhehar and Justice DH Chandrachuda directed the court to issue clarifications on Friday. On this basis, some states have not yet filed affidavits.

The bench also said that the petition was filed by an inquiry into the concerns of land grab across the country. The center plan was created in 2013. All the states have been asked to submit a benchmark on the implementation of this plan.

The apex court had earlier directed all state governments to file affidavits affirming whether they would implement the 2013 master plan after the Centre had said its copies have been supplied to the states.

The Centre had said the issue of ground water harvesting was "important" and it had circulated various plans from time to time to all the states from 2006 onwards.