RTI reveals no water board meeting since its formation in 2005
11 Jun, 2013An application was filed under the Right to Information (RTI) Act seeking to know the details of the meetings of water board of Maharashtra and the status of the integrated state water plan.
The reply to the application, given by the additional secretary of the water resources department, states that though the official gazette notification for the constitution of the state water board had been issued way back in 2005, the board is still to hold its first meeting.
The reply also shows that the draft integrated state water plan which was the responsibility of the water board and which was to be prepared within six months of the formation of water board has not been prepared as yet.
Under Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRA) Act, 2005 the preparation of the draft integrated water plan was entrusted to the water board – a high level committee under the chairmanship of the chief secretary. The draft plan was to be presented to and finalized by the state water council headed by the Chief Minister.