India, Dec. 6 -- The Delhi government is finalising a comprehensive borewell and groundwater extraction policy to enable action against illegal withdrawal of groundwater, the Delhi Jal Board(DJB) has informed the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

Submitting an affidavit, the DJB said the framework was in an advanced stage and feedback has been shared with the environment department.

The announcement was made in a fresh status report submitted to the tribunal on December 1, while responding to directions on unchecked groundwater extraction by Paharganj guesthouses for nearly a decade. DJB said that it has no statutory powers to penalise violators, but has collected Rs.6.36 crore in water cess and sewerage charges.

DJB added that the Volunt...