Drinking water must be given a priority, Bombay HC tells state govt
MUMBAI: Bombay high court recently reminded the state government that its own policy states that water for drinking must be given a priority over water for irrigation purposes.
A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice MS Sanklecha on May 10, 2013 heard two petitions by Raosahebdada Pawar Ghodganga Sahakari Karkhana Limited and Baburao Kashinath Pachame pointing out that water stored in Kukdi project is not being supplied even for drinking purpose to the Ghod dam for the surrounding villages including Shirur and Inamgaon.
The judges said it is for the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority constituted under the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority Act, 2005 to pass appropriate orders for allocation of water.
The judges pointed out that in a judgment of this court given in March 2013 on a petition by the Society for Backlog Removal and Development and others vs The State of Maharashtra, the water policy of the state government contained in the 18 May 2011 circular provides that allocation of water for drinking purpose is to get priority over allocation for irrigation purposes.In view of the above, the respondent authorities shall ensure that the allocation of water for drinking purposes is not prejudiced on account of allocation of water for irrigation purposes," the judges said in their order.
The judges said it is for the authority to decide regarding the allocation of water for irrigation purposes, as to which area should get how much water. The court was informed that a hearing for that purpose is fixed on May 18, 2013 and it will be open to the petitioners and all other concerned persons to make their representations before the authority.
Disposing of the matter, the judges directed that after the hearing, the authority shall take a decision as expeditiously as possible having regard to the urgency involved in the matter.
Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Drinking-water-must-be-given-a-priority-Bombay-HC-tells-state-govt/articleshow/20310739.cms
A division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice MS Sanklecha on May 10, 2013 heard two petitions by Raosahebdada Pawar Ghodganga Sahakari Karkhana Limited and Baburao Kashinath Pachame pointing out that water stored in Kukdi project is not being supplied even for drinking purpose to the Ghod dam for the surrounding villages including Shirur and Inamgaon.
The judges said it is for the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority constituted under the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority Act, 2005 to pass appropriate orders for allocation of water.
The judges pointed out that in a judgment of this court given in March 2013 on a petition by the Society for Backlog Removal and Development and others vs The State of Maharashtra, the water policy of the state government contained in the 18 May 2011 circular provides that allocation of water for drinking purpose is to get priority over allocation for irrigation purposes.In view of the above, the respondent authorities shall ensure that the allocation of water for drinking purposes is not prejudiced on account of allocation of water for irrigation purposes," the judges said in their order.
The judges said it is for the authority to decide regarding the allocation of water for irrigation purposes, as to which area should get how much water. The court was informed that a hearing for that purpose is fixed on May 18, 2013 and it will be open to the petitioners and all other concerned persons to make their representations before the authority.
Disposing of the matter, the judges directed that after the hearing, the authority shall take a decision as expeditiously as possible having regard to the urgency involved in the matter.
Source - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Drinking-water-must-be-given-a-priority-Bombay-HC-tells-state-govt/articleshow/20310739.cms