(1) Any user of ground water [as defined under sub-section (g) of section 2] desiring to sink a well in the notified area for any purpose either on personal or community basis, shall apply to the Ground Water Authority for grant of a permit for this purpose, and shall not proceed with any activity connected with such sinking unless a permit has been granted by the Ground Water Authority:
Provided that the person or persons will not have to obtain a permit if the well is proposed to be fitted with a hand operated manual pump or water is proposed to be withdrawn by manual devices.
(2) Every application under sub-section (1) shall be made in such form and shall contain such particulars and in such manner as may be prescribed.
(3) On receipt of an application under sub-section (1), if the Ground Water Authority is satisfied that it shall not be against public interest to do so, it may grant, subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be specified, a permit authorising the extraction and use of ground water:
Provided that no person shall be refused a permit, unless he has been given an opportunity of being heard.
(4) The decision regarding the grant or refusal of the permit shall be intimated by the Ground Water Authority to the applicant within a period of 30 days from the date of receipt of the application.
(5) In granting or refusing a permit under sub-section (3), the Ground Water Authority shall have regard to, -
(a) the purpose or purposes for which ground water is to be used;
(b) the existence of other competitive users;
(c) the availability of ground water;
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(d) quality of ground water with reference to use;
(e) spacing of ground water structures keeping in consideration the purpose for which ground water is to be used;
(f) long-term ground water level behaviour;
(g) quantity of ground water utilized with reference to land use in the area; and
(h) any other factors relevant thereto.
(6) The permit shall be in such form as may be prescribed.
Registration of existing users in notified areas