Dispute over Mahi dam water under legal lens

Jaipur: The dispute among four districts of the state over the distribution of water from Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam pending for decades has now entered judicial scrutiny. Acting on a petition on it, the Jodhpur Bench of Rajasthan High has asked the state government to submit a proposal on providing water to the residents of Jalore and Barmer on or before the second week of January 2023.
The petition was filed by Rajasthan Kisan Sangarsh Samiti (RKSS), which has been working on the issue of the water of Mahi dam since 1998. RKSS president Badridan said the HC also attached four suggestions submitted by the organisation for the state government’s consideration. The suggestions include providing the additional water of Mahi dam going to Gujarat to Jalore and Barmer.
“The other suggestions are diverting the water of Mahi River and bringing it to these districts. The Mahi should be connected to Luni River. Other than these four suggestions, the state should also consider any other way to provide water to Jalore and Barmer,” said Badridan.
The petitioner’s counsel, Ankur Mathur, submitted detailed reports concluding that both the districts have scarce water resources that cause crises-like situations. “The HC observed that the situation in these areas is grim and asked the state to provide details of having any programme, project or scheme to ensure the supply of water in the region,” said Mathur.
The HC’s observation has sparked reactions from Banswara and Dungarpur districts, the primary beneficiaries of Mahi Dam. “I have not seen the court order. I have only heard the observations. I believe the court will also give the rightful opportunity to the people here to keep their position that the water available in Mahi Dam is not enough to meet local needs,” said Naresh Yadav of the Banswara-based OBC Adhikar Manch.