(1) Any user of ground water as defined under section 3(f) desiring to construct a structure the well in the notified area for any purpose either on payment of such fee as may be prescribed, apply to the Authority for grant of a permit, and shall not proceed with any activity connected with such construction unless a permit has been granted by the Authority;
Provided that the person or persons will not have to obtain a permit if any well is proposed to be fitted with a hand operated manual pump or water is proposed to be withdrawn by manual devices.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 made under sub-section (1) shall be in such form and contain such particulars as may be prescribed by the Authority.
(3) On receipt of an application under sub-section (1), if the 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 authorizing the extraction and use of ground water. The Authority may impose condition of providing artificial recharge structures of appropriate size to be constructed by the applicant within a period as specified by the Authority:
Provided that no person shall be refused a permit unless he has been given an opportunity of being heard.
(4) The decision regarding grant or refusal of the permit shall be intimated by the Authority to the applicant within a period of 90 days from the date of decision.
(5) In granting or refusing a permit under sub-section (3), the Authority shall have regard to--
(a) the purpose or purposes for which water is to be used;
(b) the existence of other competitive users;
(c) the availability of water ;
(d) quantity of ground water to be drawn;
(e) quality of ground water to be drawn with reference to proposed usage ;
(f) Spacing of ground water structures keeping in view the purpose for which water is to be used ;
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(g) long term ground water level behavior ;
(h) its likelihood of adversely affecting water availability of any drinking water sources in its vicinity; and
(i) any other factor relevant thereto.
Registration of existing users of ground water in the notified area