Demanding exemption from NOC for MSMEs to withdraw groundwater, IIA writes to CGWA and MSME Ministry

New Delhi, May 1 (KNN) The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) in a public notice last month mandated all industrial units (including the MSMEs) to obtain NOC from the Authority to continue using groundwater. This move by the CGWA is seen complicated and difficult to comply.

Indian Industry Association has written to the CGWA and MSME Ministry and other concerned officials proposing an exemption for the MSMEs to obtain the NOC.

IIA in the proposal said that there are many complicated steps involved in getting the NOC. The steps include submitting of groundwater quality analysis report, rainwater harvesting proposal, and water balance flow charts etc. Also once the application for the NOC is filed, the MSMEs are required to make presentation before CGWA and face and satisfy the inspectors.

While IIA favours conservation of water resources, it has expressed its concern over the problems and difficulties MSMEs face in obtaining the NOC.

In most of the cases, Micro and Small units is run and managed by one person. To fulfil the requirements to get the NOC, the unit will have to hire a consultant which many of the MSMEs might not be able to afford. Also since to get the NOC, the MSMEs are asked to submit various water reports, this will further add to the costs of operation for the units.

The MSME body also fears the ‘Inspection Raj’ that might get reinstated as the units will have to make a presentation and satisfy the attending officer.

Raising the existing problems that surround the MSMEs such as scarcity of funds, squeezed margins and delay in payments, mandating NOC will further add to this list.

IIA has proposed that the MSMEs, especially the Micro and Small units who use ground water in small safe quantities (25m3/day – 50m3/day) should be exempted from obtaining the NOC. The association however emphasized that it is ready to volunteer for water conservation and preservation awareness campaigns. (KNN/ DA)