Years later and after many complains when it was expected that authorities would be tightening the noose against illegal use of water, the state is now seeking clarity on applicability of law in Mumbai to go ahead.
The water supply and sanitation department (WSSD) in a reply to an RTI application stated that it has sought information from the law and judiciary department on which law is applicable for the city. The RTI reply was given to applicant Sureshkumar Dhoka. Dhoka has been taking up issues related to ground level water misuse with authorities taking no prompt action despite bringing the illegalities to their notice.
Dhoka got the reply when he had sought details of a letter collector had written to the state government on seeking clarity on the role of collector in taking action on illegal use of well water. Except Mumbai, the state appointed district authorities to take action on illegal use of water across all districts as per Maharashtra Groundwater (Development and Management) Act (MGDMA), 2009. The Act was enacted and became effective since June 1, 2014. Following that MWRRA has been designated as the state groundwater authority.
While no information was given on the reply given to collector's letter, the public information officer (PIO) from WSSD said it seeking clarity from law and judiciary department on which law will remain applicable in the Mumbai region. It also stated that it is also looking if there is scope to improvise upon the MGDMA. The reason, while MGDMA states that district authorities are to take action, when collector's powers were enhanced in 1956, as per sections in the law passed around that time, it municipal commissioner's permission was necessary for usage of well and penal action was also to be taken by his office. "It only shows how seriously they have been working for all this while when I was complaining," said Dhoka.
