PUDA asks DCs to implement notifications

Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) informed the Punjab and Haryana high court that it asked all deputy commissioners (DCs) to implement various notifications issued by the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). The authority also stated that provision for rain water harvesting has been made in building rules, through a notification dated August 25, 2010. The authority said this to the high court while the latter was hearing a petition seeking enforcement of various notifications issued by CGWA, declaring a number of blocks in Punjab as notified areas, and banning use of ground water for construction of buildings. The petition also sought appropriate directions to the state government to permit construction by utilizing only treated water from sewerage plants. The high court directed the authority to ensure that only sewerage treated water is used for construction of buildings. The court observed that mere issuance of notifications, or instructions to deputy commissioners, is not enough. Steps must be taken by the government or PUDA to chalk out a concrete action plan for enforcement of such notifications by appropriate authorities, it held. The notification declaring Ludhiana as 'Notified area' was issued in 1998 and similar notifications declaring Moga and Sangrur were issued in 2006, yet till date, notifications banning use of ground water for construction have not been enforced, the court remarked.