Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has ordered the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to stop the enforcement of new water tanker guidelines till June 15. The move is to ensure uninterrupted supply of water during the summer season as the city is suffering from a constant water crisis following a strike called by the Mumbai Water Tanker Association (MWTA).
Major Reasons and Facts
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Strike Background: The MWTA went on an indefinite strike on April 10, objecting to BMC notices mandating private well owners to take licenses from the Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA). The association contends that the regulations are unrealistic to implement in Mumbai.
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Regulatory Halt: Shinde's order pauses these regulations momentarily to avoid an extended water deficit. This is done following intercessions from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Jal Shakti Minister Chandrakant Patil.
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BMC's Response: Even after the stay on notices, the BMC used the Disaster Management Act, 2005, for requisitioning wells and private water tankers in order to keep vital services intact. This step involves the formulation of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for water supply and liaising with transport departments and police.
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Political Agitations: The issue has been fueling political agitations, with Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray attacking the BJP for deepening the crisis, and Shinde retorting by pointing to his government's attempts at resolving the issue.
The short-term relief is designed to de-escalate the short-term water crisis while more permanent solutions are sought.
Source: Hindustan Times, Indian Express, India TV News.