The Tamil Nadu government today issued an ordinance, making it mandatory for all buildings in the state to have rainwater harvesting structures in place before August 31, 2003.
After facing severe hardships due to drought in the last two years, the state government is now putting in place a comprehensive rainwater harvesting plan well in advance of the North-East monsoon expected in October.
Tamil Nadu chief minister J Jayalalithaa has given the order to amend the building rules of local bodies that would now make it mandatory for building owners and occupants to provide for rain harvesting structure. The amended rules would not only cover proposed building but also the existing buildings and those under construction.
Jayalalithaa said,