Haryana is a North Indian state that came into existence in 1966 upon bifurcation from erstwhile Punjab. Since then, corresponding to the increase in the
area cultivated under water-intensive crops, the number of irrigation tube wells has recorded more than a thirtyfold increase. This has resulted in a sharp decline in the groundwater table because the water abstraction far exceeds the underground aquifers’ recharge capacity. Haryana also faces water quality problems due to groundwater contamination by industrial pollution, salination and heavy metal concentration. The degradation in quality is partly because of excessive groundwater extraction. These twin problems of quantity and quality pose a water and food security threat not just for this state but also for the country, as Haryana contributes 6.9% of India’s national food grain production. The State Assembly has tried to manage these problems through piecemeal legislation. The authors analyse the existing laws in light of Haryana’s groundwater issues to suggest appropriate policy interventions that the state must consider to avoid creating collateral issues and promote sustainable groundwater resource management.