Rafiq Dada, Rohit Deo in IPL matter as BomHC asks BCCI some tough questions

Senior Counsel Rafiq Dada, appearing for the BCCI in the IPL matter, told the Bombay High Court’s VM Kanade and MS Karnik JJ that after the court’s intervention, the BCCI has agreed to source water from the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC)..This water shall be used for the maintainence of pitches at Mumbai and Pune. Dada also said that the RWITC has a sewage water filtiration plant in place to meet its water requirements..Acting Advocate General Rohit Deo submitted two separate affidavits today. One was with respect to the source of water to be used for the IPL, and the other a comprehensive water policy for the State in the long run..While informing the bench about the “limited role” that the state plays in granting an NOC at the collectorate level (regarding the entertainment tax to be deposited), Deo also said that it was the BMC’s which decides to grant permission for tankers used for supplying water..He also submitted that there are provisions in the Municipal Corporation Act under which prohibitory orders can be issued by the State to BMC. To which Kanade J said:.Don’t wait for court orders, take action if needed..Clarifying the State government’s stand on this issue and also regarding the court’s earlier query on the source of water for tankers being used, Deo stated,.According to a preliminary input that we have from the corporation, there is no portable (drinkable) water in any of the wells and borewells in Mumbai. Even if 1 litre of portable water is used for these pitches, we will ensure that harshest action is taken..Justice Kanade then asked this treated sewage water to be sent to a lab in order to ascertain whether it is portable or not..In response, Rafiq Dada, who was carrying a sample of this water, said:.Considering that this ‘grey water’ is niether fit for human consumption nor for maintaining livestock needs, it is being put to good use. .Kanade has now directed BCCI to file an affidavit on the following three issues that have been raised:.Will you ensure that the amount of water being used for these matches in the state, the same is also distributed to all the drought effected areas?Are you willing to make a donation towards the Chief Minister’s Relief fund?Also, give an undertaking from the RWITC expressly stating that they will be supplying treated sewage water for these matches..The hearing will continue in the post lunch session tomorrow.