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Deputies endorse amended water authority law

By Khaled Neimat - Apr 23,2014 - Last updated at Apr 23,2014

AMMAN — The Lower House on Wednesday endorsed the draft amendments to the Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ) Law, rejecting a provision that imposes a 9 per cent interest on subscribers’ unpaid water dues.

The 150-strong House held two separate meetings on Wednesday to conclude discussions over the amended law and endorse it.

The law grants WAJ and its employees the authority to enforce the law when detecting any water violations without the need to seek police support.

Also under the amendments, WAJ can confiscate any machinery and equipment used by violators to dig illegal water wells. 

The measure is part of the government’s crackdown on water violations.

The authorities dismantled more than 7,091 illegal water pipes between August and December last year, 75.5 per cent of which were in the capital, according to Water Ministry figures.

The figures also indicate that 174 illegal wells were sealed in different parts of the country, while 12 water drillers were confiscated for digging wells without obtaining a licence.

In January this year, the Cabinet authorised the ministry to strictly end all forms of violations on water resources. 

In addition, the Council of Ministers endorsed several decisions and regulations to curb infringements, and maximise penalties against offenders.

These include depriving owners of illegal wells of agricultural or any other governmental loans and supplying electricity for wells only after clearance is obtained from WAJ, proving they are licensed. 

The regulations also prohibit the import of water pumps for wells unless the Ministry of Water and Irrigation grants permission.

The Lower House is scheduled to hold a general discussion session on Sunday to discuss the Privatisation Evaluation Committee’s reports.

Next week is going to be the last in the 17th Parliament’s ordinary session, which concludes on May 3. His Majesty King Abdullah is expected to summon Parliament for an extraordinary session in the near future.

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