The Bombay High Court on Monday rapped the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRA) and observed that while people are fighting for water in Maharashtra, the authority has failed to ensure equitable distribution of water in the State. A Division Bench of Justices Abhay Oka and CV Bhadang was hearing a petition filed by social worker Devdatta Jaywantrao Nikam from Pune. The petition states that the Ghod reservoir is situated on the Ghod River and Kukadi complex and that it provides water for drinking and irrigation to Pune, Kolhapur and Solapur. The petition contends that while the complex should be 100 per cent filled with water from the river, it receives only about 49 per cent. The petition adds that the words ‘distress’ and ‘percentage of utilisable water’ is not defined in the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority Act which causes problems, and urged the court to frame the rules of the Act to ensure equitable distribution.
The advocate appearing for the petitioner informed the court that in January 2016, the water level in the complex had reduced from 65 per cent to 60 per cent, and that it was causing grave problems to people living in the area. The court said the MWRRA exercises important powers in determining equitable distribution of water in the State that faces water scarcity problems in major parts and asked the additional government pleader to look into the matter.
Kukadi complex provides water
to Pune, Kolhapur and Solapur, but receives only
49% water from the Ghod River