Don't Extend Welfare Schemes To Those Tapping Water Illegally: Madras High Court
NDTV
The authorities should also take steps to disconnect power supply and initiate criminal action against the illegal water extractors, the court said.
The Madras High Court has directed authorities concerned not to extend the government welfare schemes such as agriculture loan and subsidy for seeds and fertilizers to persons who illegally tap water.
Besides this, the authorities should take steps to disconnect power supply and initiate criminal action against the illegal water extractors, Justice S M Subramaniam said.
The judge gave the directives while disposing of a writ petition from K Paramasivam, former chairman of the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project and Thirumoorthi Reservoir Project Committee, last week.
The petitions sought to quash the orders passed in 2014 and 2015, allowing two private individuals to extract water from Aliyar Basin Division Canal. The petitioner alleged large-scale illegalities in granting the permissions to them for extracting water for irrigation and other purposes. Water theft in the locality was continuing unchecked for over 30 years, the petitioner further contended.
