<p>The Gujarat government on Friday passed two bills that has made theft of water for both irrigation and drinking a punishable offence that will attract punishment ranging from three months to two years in jail.</p>.<p>The bills "The Gujarat Domestic Water Supply (Protection) Bill 2019" and "The Gujarat Irrigation and Water Discharge Management (Amendment) Bill 2019" cover the theft of irrigation and drinking water.</p>.<p>Gujarat Irrigation and Water Discharge Management (Amendment) bill 2019 has provision for fine up to Rs. 20,000 or six-month jail for those creating obstruction in canal by putting water pumping set or any other equipment. The violation of this provision will attract imprisonment up to one-year imprisonment or Rs 50,000 fine or both. </p>.<p>In case of diversion of flow of canal or water bodies or creating any obstruction, the offender can get up to 1.5 years of jail or a fine of Rs 1 lakh or both. If a person is found creating a hole in canal and inserting a pipe to draw water, then the person can get up to two years of jail or Rs 2 lakh fine or both.</p>.<p>These provisions have been opposed by the Opposition Congress, who termed it "anti-farmer".</p>
<p>The Gujarat government on Friday passed two bills that has made theft of water for both irrigation and drinking a punishable offence that will attract punishment ranging from three months to two years in jail.</p>.<p>The bills "The Gujarat Domestic Water Supply (Protection) Bill 2019" and "The Gujarat Irrigation and Water Discharge Management (Amendment) Bill 2019" cover the theft of irrigation and drinking water.</p>.<p>Gujarat Irrigation and Water Discharge Management (Amendment) bill 2019 has provision for fine up to Rs. 20,000 or six-month jail for those creating obstruction in canal by putting water pumping set or any other equipment. The violation of this provision will attract imprisonment up to one-year imprisonment or Rs 50,000 fine or both. </p>.<p>In case of diversion of flow of canal or water bodies or creating any obstruction, the offender can get up to 1.5 years of jail or a fine of Rs 1 lakh or both. If a person is found creating a hole in canal and inserting a pipe to draw water, then the person can get up to two years of jail or Rs 2 lakh fine or both.</p>.<p>These provisions have been opposed by the Opposition Congress, who termed it "anti-farmer".</p>