⚠️ CGWA Penalty Provisions for Non-Compliance of NOC Conditions (2025–26)
🔴 Strict Action for Violation of CGWA Norms
The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has made it mandatory for all industrial, commercial, mining, and infrastructure units to strictly comply with the conditions mentioned in their No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Any non-compliance or violation of the approved terms will attract heavy penalties, legal action, and prosecution under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The penalty charges mentioned below apply to all users holding or applying for CGWA NOC 2025–26 and will be reviewed periodically by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
💰 Penalty Provisions for Non-Compliance of NOC Conditions
| S. No. | Violation / Non-Compliance Description | Penalty (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Non-installation or faulty Digital Water Flow Meter with telemetry system | 2,00,000 |
| 2(a) | Non-disclosure or construction of additional groundwater abstraction structures (Functional / Non-functional) | 2,00,000 per unit |
| 2(b) | Defunct / Abandoned structures | 1,00,000 per unit |
| 3 | Reporting of freshwater zones as brackish/saline zones in the application | 2,00,000 |
| 4 | Non-installation of Piezometer | 2,00,000 |
| 5 | Non-installation or faulty DWLR / Telemetry System | 1,00,000 |
| 6 | Non-construction or inadequate capacity of Recharge / Water Conservation Structures | 5,00,000 |
| 7 | Non-maintenance of water conservation / recharge structures | 2,00,000 |
| 8 | Injection of treated or untreated water into aquifer systems | 10,00,000 + cost of remediation |
| 9 | Non-submission of Water Level / Water Quality Data | 50,000 |
| 10 | Non-maintenance of daily Log Book / Non-submission of abstraction data | 50,000 |
| 11 | Non-submission of photographs of recharge structures | 50,000 |
| 12 | Non-submission of Self-Compliance Report | 1,00,000 |
| 13 | Construction of groundwater abstraction structures by unauthorized or unregistered drilling rigs | 1,00,000 per structure |
| 14 | Non-registration of Water Supply Tankers | 5,00,000 |
| 15 | Submission of false information or undertaking | 1,00,000 |
⚠️ Important Notes on Penalties
- Each violation will be treated separately, and cumulative penalties may apply.
- The penalties are exclusive of any Environmental Compensation (ECGW) for illegal extraction.
- In case of severe environmental damage, criminal prosecution may be initiated by authorized officers.
📜 Application Fee and NOC Modification Charges
Application fees for fresh or renewal of NOC shall be charged as per CGWA’s prescribed rates and must be paid through the official CGWA web portal. Additional charges apply for modifications or corrections:
| S. No. | Description | Charges (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Change in recharge quantum (Now Deleted) | 10,000 |
| 2 | Change in User ID | 5,000 |
| 3 | Change in Firm Name | 5,000 |
| 4 | Extension of NOC validity | 5,000 |
| 5 | Issuance of duplicate NOC | 5,000 |
| 6 | Issuance of corrigendum to NOC | 5,000 |
| 7 | Any other correction / modification | 5,000 |
🚨 Warning & Compliance Reminder
Failure to comply with any of the conditions mentioned in the NOC will lead to:
- Immediate sealing of borewells or abstraction structures.
- Disconnection of electricity.
- Environmental compensation (minimum ₹1,00,000).
- Legal prosecution by the District Magistrate or CGWA Authorized Officers.
✅ Best Practices for Avoiding Penalties
- Install and maintain Digital Water Flow Meters with Telemetry.
- Build Recharge / Rainwater Harvesting Structures as per approved plans.
- Submit annual compliance reports and photographic evidence online.
- Do not operate unregistered borewells or unauthorized drilling rigs.
- Renew your NOC before expiry to avoid being marked non-compliant.
💡 Pro Tip: Use professional assistance to manage CGWA documentation and compliance to avoid costly penalties and legal actions.
❓ Most Searched FAQs on CGWA Non-Compliance Penalties
1. What is the penalty for not installing a Digital Water Flow Meter or if it is faulty?
The penalty for non-installation or operating a faulty Digital Water Flow Meter with a telemetry system is ₹2,00,000 (Violation 1).
2. What is the most severe monetary penalty for a single violation listed in the provisions?
The most severe penalty is ₹10,00,000 plus the cost of remediation, which is levied for the injection of treated or untreated water into aquifer systems (Violation 8).
3. Are these non-compliance penalties separate from Environmental Compensation (ECGW)?
Yes. The guidelines explicitly state that these penalties are exclusive of any Environmental Compensation (ECGW). ECGW applies specifically to illegal, unauthorized extraction.
4. What is the fine for constructing an additional, undeclared groundwater abstraction structure?
Non-disclosure or construction of additional groundwater abstraction structures (functional or non-functional) attracts a penalty of ₹2,00,000 per unit (Violation 2a).
5. How much does it cost to change the firm name or extend the NOC validity?
The charge for routine corrections or modifications, including changing the firm name or extending the NOC validity, is fixed at ₹5,000 for each instance (as detailed in the modification charges section).
6. What is the penalty for failure to build or having inadequate Recharge / Water Conservation Structures?
The fine for non-construction or inadequate capacity of Recharge / Water Conservation Structures is ₹5,00,000 (Violation 6), which is one of the highest individual fines.
7. What is the fine for not submitting Water Level / Water Quality Data or maintaining a daily Log Book?
Both non-submission of Water Level/Quality Data (Violation 9) and non-maintenance of the daily Log Book (Violation 10) attract a penalty of ₹50,000 each.
8. What is the penalty for submission of false information or undertaking to the CGWA?
Submission of false information or undertaking is a serious violation (Violation 15) and attracts a penalty of ₹1,00,000.
9. Is there a penalty for using an unauthorized or unregistered drilling rig to construct a borewell?
Yes. Construction of groundwater abstraction structures using unauthorized or unregistered drilling rigs (Violation 13) carries a penalty of ₹1,00,000 per structure.
10. Besides the fine, what are the immediate consequences of severe non-compliance?
Severe non-compliance can lead to immediate sealing of borewells, disconnection of electricity, payment of Environmental Compensation (min. ₹1,00,000), and legal prosecution under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Expert Help for CGWA Compliance & Penalties
Avoid these costly penalties and ensure complete compliance with CGWA NOC conditions. Our experts provide end-to-end assistance with NOC documentation, technical installation, and annual report submissions.
WhatsApp / Call: 9279550247
Website: CGWAcompliance.com