Parliament Question: Installation of Digital Flow Meters for Groundwater Extraction

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 760 ANSWERED ON 23.07.2026 INSTALLATION OF DIGITAL FLOW METERS FOR GROUNDWATER EXTRACTION 760. Shri ARUN BHARTI: Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the new guidelines providing for mandatory installation of digital flow meters for groundwater extraction have come into effect from April, 2026 and if so, the details thereof; (b) the number of industrial units that have successfully integrated their telemetry data with the Central Ground Water Board pursuant to the said guidelines; (c) the mechanism for assessment and collection of Water Restoration Charges from entities found to be over- exploiting local aquifers; (d) the details of applications for renewal of Groundwater No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) rejected during the current month due to inadequate rainwater harvesting structures; (e) the steps taken to prevent the illegal commercial sale of groundwater by private tankers in water-stressed metropolitan cities; and (f) the total revenue generated through environmental compensation imposed on groundwater violators during the current financial quarter? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY) (a) & (b) No new guideline has been notified in April ,2026 for mandatory installation of digital flow meters for groundwater extraction. However, existing guidelines for regulation and control of groundwater extraction has been notified by the Ministry of Jal Shakti vide S.O. 3289(E) dated 24.09.2020, as amended vide S.O. 1509(E) dated 29.03.2023 prescribes installation of digital flow meters for groundwater abstraction structures as per extant guidelines. Under the prevailing regulatory framework, all project proponents granted NOCs by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) are required to provide the credentials of their telemetry systems within 30 days from the date of issuance of the NOC. (c) Water abstraction charges are levied in accordance with the Guidelines notified vide S.O. 3289(E) dated 24.09.2020, as amended vide S.O. 1509(E) dated 29.03.2023. The applicable charges are determined based on the category of the assessment unit, quantum of groundwater extraction and the type of project, viz. infrastructure, industry or mining. The charges are deposited by the project proponents through the Bharatkosh portal. 1(d) No application for No Objection Certificates (NOCs) renewal was rejected by CGWA during the current month due to inadequate rainwater harvesting structures. (e) Under the prevailing regulatory framework, all bulk water suppliers extracting groundwater and supplying it through private tankers are required to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) or concerned States/UT whichever is applicable . Such bulk water suppliers are also required to pay groundwater abstraction charges at the prescribed rates. Extraction of groundwater for commercial use without a valid NOC is to be treated as unauthorized and the defaulting entities are liable to pay Environmental Compensation for the quantity of groundwater extracted. Further, all tankers supplying groundwater from such bulk water suppliers are required to be equipped with a GPS-based system for monitoring their movement and area of operation. (f) The total revenue generated through environmental compensation imposed for illegal groundwater extraction during the current financial quarter (April to June 2026) which is approx.Rs. 4 Cr . ***** 2