Srinagar, July 22: The Jammu & Kashmir Water Resources Regulatory Authority (JKWRRA) on Tuesday held its first meeting following its reconstitution, approving several bore-well cases and reviewing hydropower project proposals requiring recommendations to the government.
The meeting was chaired by JKWRRA Chairperson Suresh Kumar Gupta and attended by members Rajesh Sharma and Manoj Gupta, Secretary Ashwani Sharma and other senior officers of the Authority.
During the meeting, Secretary Ashwani Sharma and Superintending Engineer Vaneet Vaid made a presentation outlining the functioning of the Authority and placed agenda items before the members for consideration. Several hydropower project proposals were also taken up for examination and recommendations.
Gupta stressed the need to ensure the participation of user agencies and organisations during deliberations so that observations raised by the Authority could be addressed on the spot, facilitating faster clearance of important projects.
Officials said that all bore-well proposals found complete in all respects were approved during the meeting.
The Chairperson also directed that in cases where user agencies fail to adequately respond to observations raised by the Authority, responsible officers may be summoned to appear before the body for clarification.
Emphasising the importance of sustainable water management, Gupta called for wider public awareness on mandatory water-use clearances, judicious use of water resources, rainwater harvesting and water conservation practices.
Members and officers of the Authority also proposed several measures aimed at improving the functioning of JKWRRA and making it more effective. The Chairperson asked officials to draft detailed proposals for examination and consideration by the Authority.
JKWRRA is a statutory body constituted under the Jammu & Kashmir Water Resources (Regulation and Management) Act, 2010, which seeks to regulate, manage and promote the sustainable use of water resources across the Union Territory. The Authority is empowered to frame regulations governing water resource management and comprises a Chairperson and up to three members.
Officials said the meeting laid down a roadmap for streamlining the Authority’s functioning and strengthening its role in ensuring sustainable and regulated use of water resources in Jammu & Kashmir.
