Provisions in Act & Regulation
1) Tariff Disputes
While the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRA) does not have jurisdiction over tariffs charged by bulk water users to downstream consumers the bulk water tariffs will be based on certain assumptions relating to consumption and related parameters. Bulk water users may petition MWRRA for revision of bulk water tariffs in respect of, inter alia, these assumptions.
2) Entitlement Disputes
Provisions for Dispute Resolution from the MWRRA Act, Chapter VII
Section 22(1): The Government shall by general or special order issued in this behalf authorize any competent officer or officers for each River Basin Agency as Primary Dispute Resolution Officer, to resolve the disputes with regard to the issuance or delivery of water Entitlement, under the Act.
Section 22(2): The Primary Dispute Resolution Officer shall follow such procedure as may be prescribed while hearing the disputes.
Section 22(3): Any person aggrieved by an order of the Primary Dispute Resolution Officer may, within sixty days from the receipt of such order, prefer an appeal to the Authority: Provided that, the Authority may entertain an appeal after the expiry of the said period of sixty days if it is satisfied that the aggrieved person had sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal within the said period of sixty days.
Section 22(4): The Authority shall follow such procedure while hearing the appeals as may be prescribed.
Therefore, as per the provisions of the MWRRA Act, a Primary Dispute Resolution Officer will be appointed by the government for the River Basin Agencies. The Primary Dispute Resolution Officer will be responsible for resolving disputes relating to entitlements. If the petitioner is not satisfied with the decision of the Primary Dispute Resolution Officer then the aggrieved person has recourse to appeal to MWRRA within a period of 60 days.