PANJIM: Mhadei PRAWAH Chairperson P M Scott on Tuesday said that Mhadei Water Authority will deliberate and settle issues regarding sustainable and equitable utilisation of water of Mhadei river basin.
Speaking to reporters after holding the first meeting of PRAWAH at Porvorim, Scott said Authority will work for harmonious use of water of Mhadei for welfare of people of all three States.
“We have been able to kick-start functioning of the Authority whereby several decisions were made by the Authority for setting of the office, choosing the initial location of the office and at the later date of allotting land to the authority for its functioning to Goa,” he said.
”We have also been successful in framing the business rules which the Authority has passed in its meeting. We have also been able to break the ice with the stakeholders that we should be able to visit various rivers and tributaries in the Mhadei basin. Since there has been consensus that the members of the Authority should be accustomise themselves with the characteristics of the basis, I hope that there is a silver lining and all the matters regarding the Mhadei basis will be resolved amicably between Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka through the good offices of the Mhadei PRAWAH Authority,” Scott said.
Stating that the Authority has the scope right from the origin of Mhadei till it falls in the sea near Panjim, Scott said, “We have to decide about the next meeting. Whether it will be held in Maharashtra or Karnataka because Goa has already hosted the first meeting. We will give an opportunity to other parties as well to hold the meeting so that there is a sense of belongingness with the Authority.
According to Scott, there are certain permissions that can be granted for transferring water from the Mhadei basin to outside of the basin, but there are protocols to be followed. For example a Detailed project Report (DPR) has to be prepared based on sound data and the DPR has to be appraised by Central agencies and not by any of the party States.
Last year, the Ministry of Jal Shakti had notified the Mhadei PRAWAH or the Mhadei Water Management Authority to ensure fair distribution of water of Mhadei river basin by the three riparian States.
