Maharashtra was the first state to push for a water regulator'

1. P. Bakshi, Chairman, Maharashtra Water Resource Regulatory Authority (MWRRA), Government of Maharashtra, puts the spotlight on the functions of the state authority when it comes to allocation of supply of water resources

Maharashtra Water Resource Regulatory Authority (MWRRA) was set up in 2005 with an Act of the Legislature. Maharashtra was the first state to realise that if there was no regulator in the water sector, it would be difficult to manage the issue of water scarcity and water usage. In the entire country, there are five state regulators. For instance, the state of Uttar Pradesh is the latest to join the list. In fact, the chairman of the UP Authority was appointed only about a month ago. Similarly, the states of Jammu & Kashmir and Telangana each have a regulator. In 2003, when the government of Maharashtra felt that water issues have to be addressed and a need was felt for regulating water conservation, efficiency, sewage treatment, and control of pollution of water bodies for all three sectors like agriculture, industries, and urban usage of water.

All these have to be brought under one umbrella. A state water policy was declared in 2003. That was followed by enactment of Maharashtra Water Resource Regulatory Authority Act in 2005 and the first regulator took place in 2006. In 2009, The main responsibilities of MWRRA include equitable distribution of water entitlement in the agricultural sector as well as in the urban sector. In short project conformity with the integrated state water plan, this is another thing which Maharashtra has done is state has prepared integrated state water plant, that is all the five river basins in Maharashtra starting from Godavari, Krishna, Tapi, Narmada and Mahanadi and the western flowing rivers in Konkan, all the six river basins, the body has got a plan and this concept has been there in the Act itself. All these six important basins of Maharashtra you have certain water allocated by the government of India through tribunals. A state can only use that particular amount of water; it cannot retail more water than what is allocated. In case of an integrated state water plan, we would have to prepare that in entire basin. The integrated state water plan tells you at which place in the state you have excess water, and you can make your dams and at which place you are already drawing more than what you are allocated to. So with the state water plan you are supposed to do the actual planning of the state and then MWRRA becomes the apex authority for giving sanctions to such projects which are projected by the departments for construction let's say small dams, medium dams. So unless it fits in the water plan through which it is deduced that water is available then only one can construct.The Supreme Court in a recent order to MWRRA has directed that a specific amount of water must be released to Marathwada. This diktat by the apex court has not gone down well by those residing in the upstream area because they are used to get more water for the last 40 years. A dispute is going on against the orders in the Supreme Court. The bulk water tariff is fixed by MWRRA for the urban utilities and for various industries, including the paper industry and the thermal power industry, among others. In addition, what we are supposed to do and tell the governments or urban utilities is that you recycle and reuse. So whatever water is being used by the municipal corporation and the waste is generated, the waste is liquid or water waste has to be cleaned to a certain extent. It has to be recycled and it has to be reused. That is the mandate given by MWRRA. Avoid pollution of the water bodies as well as of the coastal area in the sea. Integrate sewage treatment plants.

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