Govt warns of action against commercial exploitation of water

New Delhi: Delhi government today directed the deputy commissioners to take strict action against complaints of commercial exploitation of ground water, even as it asked the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) to re-advertise applications for registration of water tankers in the city.

"There are about 2000 water supply tankers in the City. However, so far only 188 numbers of applications for registration of 327 water tanker vehicles have been received by DJB. Out of which only 16 have been registered. "It was decided that another advertisement will be given in newspapers to extend the date for submitting the application for registering of tankers up to March 31, said a press statement issued by Delhi government today. The decisions were taken in a meeting of ground water regulation and management committee and chaired by Environment Secretary Sanjiv Kumar. The meeting was attended by senior officers of Central Ground Water Authority, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, DJB, Divisional Commissioner and department of Environment. In another decision, the committee also decided to give certain exemptions to areas like Dwarka and Rajnagar among others where water supply by DJB was insufficient after prior approval by Lt Governor.