Maharashtra will have a new water policy: CM Fadnavis

A senior cabinet minister revealed to Indian Express, “ The senior Shiv Sena minister Diwakar Raote has already made a public statement rejecting the Kelkar Committee report thus causing major embarrassment to the Devendra Fadnavis government.” The out of turn remarks from senior cabinet minister even before the cabinet has taken a formal decision has not gone well with the Fadnavis.

Kelkar committee report which has identified the problems and also recommended suggestions to address the regional imbalance will have to be adopted in the coming budget session. However, there is absolutely no unanimity amongst the ministers within the Sena and BJP on either Kelkar report or water management expert Madhav Chitale committee report which suggested 42 recommendations on irrigation sector.

On Saturday, state government held its first Water Council Meeting chaired by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai. Interestingly, the meeting of the water council took place after nine years. Fadnavis acknowledged the need to re-look at the water sharing disputes both internally and inter-state caused by major rivers which pass through more than one state.

The chief minister said, “ An integrated state water plan (policy) will be prepared soon, My government will accord highest priority to bring discipline in water sector to address the recurring disputes.” The chief minister indicated that a task force of senior officials from nodal departments headed by cabinet ministers need to prepare a roadmap to effectively address the water disputes.

The immediate worry for the chief minister relates to the growing unrest within North Maharashtra following Gujarat’s plans to exploit 135 TMC water from Damanganga and Narpar which should have been legitimately tapped by Maharashtra.

The former chief minister Prithviraj Chavan admitted, “ The Gujarat-Maharashtra water sharing needs to be addressed with urgency otherwise it would generate more unrest amongst people in state.” The water from Godavari and Tapi basin diverted to Gujarat has the potential to trigger another inter state water dispute, he cautioned.

However, Fadnavis indicated that matters related to inter-state following passing of rivers through more than one state has been brought to the notice of union water resources minister Uma Bharati. And state government is taking all necessary measures to ensure Maharashra’s water share is retained. The state will have to concentrate on construction of barrages to retain the water. He reassured that Maharashtra will never let -go its legitimate claim on water in its side.

The state is already grappling with a long pending Krishna Water dispute which engages state of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra. The issue is before the tribunal and apex court. Another case relates to Narmada water Dispute involving state of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.