Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Mhadei PRAWAH Authority will hold its sixth meeting in Goa on June 29, where members are expected to discuss a structured process for granting approvals to future minor irrigation and drinking water projects within the Mhadei basin.
The issue has been under consideration since the Authority’s previous meeting in December 2025, when Goa sought additional time to submit its suggestions on the proposed approval procedure. Karnataka has since submitted its views, while Maharashtra is yet to respond. The Authority is expected to deliberate on the matter and work towards finalising a mechanism for evaluating and approving new projects in the basin.
The meeting will also review the status of irrigation and drinking water schemes across the basin. Information on major, medium and minor projects had been sought from the basin states following directions issued by the Authority after a familiarisation visit by its chairperson. Goa and Karnataka have furnished the required details, while Maharashtra’s submission is still awaited.
Another item on the agenda is the sharing of hydrometeorological and other water resources data related to projects and locations within the basin. Members are expected to explore ways to improve coordination and information exchange among the participating states.
Administrative matters will also come up for discussion, including the approval of recruitment rules for non-statutory posts. Although the Authority has already approved an organisational structure comprising 45 posts, its day-to-day operations continue to be managed by officers of the Central Water Commission holding additional charge.
The Authority will further review progress on its office infrastructure in Goa. While a temporary office is currently functioning from Sinchai Bhawan in Alto Porvorim, renovation work on a new facility is underway. Members are also expected to discuss efforts to identify land in Panaji for a permanent headquarters, an issue that has remained under consideration since the Authority’s first meeting.
