Central authority to hold its fifth meet on Dec 24 amid submission delays
PANAJI
The Mhadei PRAWAH authority will hold its fifth meeting on December 24, with discussions expected on finalising the procedure for clearing new minor irrigation and drinking water projects in the Mhadei basin, amid delays by some party states, including Goa, in submitting their views.
Sources said that the procedure for final clearances was taken up during the fourth meeting, when the authority decided to give Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka a month to submit comments and suggestions. So far, only Karnataka has responded, submitting its views on December 9. Maharashtra and Goa are yet to send their comments.
The authority is likely to deliberate on the issue and take a decision on the detailed procedure to be followed for granting final clearances to new projects in the basin.
Members will also review the status of information on completed and ongoing irrigation and water supply schemes in the Mhadei basin. The chairperson had earlier sought details of all major, medium and minor schemes during a familiarisation visit in 2024, followed by a formal request to party states in August 2025.
While Karnataka and Goa submitted their inputs last month, information from Maharashtra has not yet been received. The authority is expected to take up the matter during the meeting.
Administrative issues will also figure prominently on the agenda, including approval of recruitment rules for non-statutory posts. The authority had earlier cleared an organisational structure of 45 posts, but day-to-day work is currently being managed by Central Water Commission officers holding additional charge. Recruitment rules for most posts have now been framed and placed before the approval authority, citing the need to strengthen manpower.
Another item relates to the deputation of officers from party states. Although states had agreed in an earlier meeting to depute officials to Mhadei PRAWAH, no deputations have taken place so far.
Members will also discuss the progress of setting up office accommodation for the authority in Porvorim. A temporary office is functioning from Sinchai Bhawan, Alto Porvorim, while renovation work on a new building is underway. The Goa representative is expected to update members on the status of the work and the process of handing over the premises.
The meeting will also review the status of identifying land in Panaji for a permanent office of Mhadei PRAWAH, a matter that has been under discussion since the authority’s first meeting.
