Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
The deadline for raising objections and appeals regarding the report of the Godavari Study Group (GSG), which proposes a 7 per cent reduction in water release from dams in the upper part of Jayakwadi for drought-hit Marathwada, has been extended to April 15. The previous deadline was March 15. The Marathwada Pani Parishad (MPP) has urged water experts and public representatives to file their objections and appeals with the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRA) regarding this report.
After the drought situation in Marathwada, water from dams in Nashik and Ahilyanagar districts has to be released to Jayakwadi as per the equitable water distribution principle. If Jayakwadi has less than 65 per cent of its water capacity, water from the upper part of the Godavari basin would be released. Two years ago, leaders from Nashik and Ahilyanagar districts took this matter to court, opposing the release of water to Marathwada. Against this backdrop, in July 2023, the state government set up the study group under the leadership of Pramod Mandade, the Director-General of Maharashtra Engineering Research Institute (MERI, Nashik).
In the report submitted to the state government in December 2024, the group stated that it is unnecessary to release water even if Jayakwadi is 58 pc full instead of 65 pc. The regulatory authority is currently hearing the unjust 7 pc reduction in Marathwada's water rights, as per the report. In the meantime, the authority has asked the public for objections and appeals to this report. Accordingly, MPP, through university management council members, senate members, farmers, entrepreneurs, water use institutions, and women, has filed 160 objections.
The success of MPP’s demand
The MPP president, Narhari Shivpure, and their delegation met with Mallikarjun Dharane, Secretary of the MWRRA, on February 13. During the meeting, they requested that the study group’s report be made available in Marathi on the website. They also suggested that after the report’s publication, 45 days be given for raising objections and appeals. Following this request, Shivpure claimed that the authority had agreed to make the report available in Marathi.