Leaving borewells open may invite jail term in MP:New SOP mandates sealing failed borewells and enables public complaints through app

In a major step to improve water access in rural areas and prevent fatal accidents involving open borewells, the Madhya Pradesh government has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) under the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department. Issued on the instructions of Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, the SOP makes Madhya Pradesh the first state in the country to implement a comprehensive and stringent borewell policy. The new rules mandate time-bound execution of government work and prescribe strict legal action against negligence. Unsuccessful borewells must be permanently sealed within 90 days Under the new policy, if a borewell fails to yield water, the landowner must permanently seal it with soil or concrete within 90 days. A photograph of the sealed borewell must also be uploaded to the designated government portal as proof of compliance. Previously, only minor legal action was taken in borewell negligence cases, but the revised policy significantly strengthens accountability. Fines and imprisonment for violations The SOP introduces strict penalties for leaving borewells open: Citizens can report open borewells through the PARAKH app Residents will be able to report unattended or open borewells by uploading photographs through the PARAKH mobile application. The government has also stated that if negligence involving borewells on government land is detected, concerned officials may face disciplinary action. Fixed timelines introduced for handpump installation To streamline the installation of new handpumps, the government has established clear deadlines at every stage: Freedom from file delays: Time limit set for officers To make the process of installing new handpumps transparent, a timeline has been set at every level. Special provisions for rural areas The SOP includes several measures to improve drinking water access in villages: Water quality checks mandatory before public use Before a newly installed handpump is made operational, water samples will be sent to a government laboratory for testing. The supply will be released for public use only after meeting Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) norms and undergoing disinfection through bleaching. Single-phase motor pumps allowed in deep-water areas In locations where groundwater is too deep for conventional handpumps, village panchayats may install single-phase motor pumps with official approval. Maintenance responsibility for such systems will rest with the respective Gram Panchayats