Unauthorized RO Plants in Jamshedpur to Face ₹50,000 Fine; Units to be Sealed    

Jamshedpur: In a major move to regulate groundwater extraction and ensure public health, local urban bodies including JNAC, Mango Municipal Corporation, and Jugsalai Municipal Council have issued strict new guidelines for the operation of RO water plants.

The notification, issued by the Principal Secretary of the Jharkhand Government, targets the illegal “pure drinking water” business that has been flourishing across the city without proper oversight.

Key Regulations and Penalties

The government has introduced a heavy penalty system to deter illegal operations:

• Heavy Fines: Any RO plant found operating without valid permission will be fined ₹50,000.
• Immediate Sealing: Beyond the fine, the unauthorized unit will be immediately sealed.
• Relocation Rights: In cases of water scarcity in specific wards, urban bodies reserve the right to temporarily shut down or relocate RO plants.

Mandatory Compliance for Operators

To continue operations legally, plant owners must now adhere to the following requirements:

• Registration Fees: An application fee of ₹500, a registration fee of ₹5,000, and an annual operation fee of ₹20,000 have been established.
• Water Conservation: Every plant must install a Rainwater Harvesting and Recharge Pit within its premises to replenish the groundwater it extracts.
• Documentation: Operators must provide Aadhaar cards, company registration certificates, updated holding receipts, and electricity bills.
• NOC Required: A No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Central Ground Water Authority is now mandatory.

Focus on Health and Environment

The crackdown comes amid reports that groundwater levels in areas like Birsanagar and Parsudih have plummeted by 100 to 150 feet over the last five years due to illegal boring. Furthermore, health experts have raised concerns regarding the quality of water sold.

“Lab tests are essential. Many unauthorized plants sell water that does not meet safety standards, leading to various diseases. Testing every three months at state or government labs is now compulsory,” stated an expert in the report.

Restrictions in “Dark Zones”

The administration has clarified that no new licenses will be issued in “Dark Zones”—areas where the water table has reached critically low levels. Existing operators in these areas will also be barred from drilling new borewells.

To ensure transparency, all plants are required to install digital water meters and maintain a logbook recording the daily volume of water extracted.