Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Thursday issued a notice to the state on a plea against the recent circular issued by the state banning digging of private borewells. The court issued the notices on a plea filed by Thomas Antony of Mulankunnathukavu, Thrissur who sought to quash the circular. The petitioner argued that the severe drought-like situation was causing hardships to the public, especially farmers. The only option for the farmers to get water was digging borewells.
The state issued a circular following the Disaster Management Act on February 17. The circular issued to curb groundwater misuse however refuses to mention the use of water for agricultural purposes, the petitioner argued. As per the circular, private persons should not dig borewells till May, 2017. Farmers rely on ground water through borewells for water, he contended. If it is banned, it will affect agriculture and farmers. The petitioner sought to stay the circular till a final order is passed, the plea said.
