Constitutes A Seven-Member Panel To Quickly Complete Aquifer Mapping Seeking to carry forward the Gujarat-model o irrigation reform in the country and to quickly com plete the task of aquifer map ping to quantify available groundwater resources, the Centre has constituted a sev en-member committee to res tructure the central water commission (CWC) and the central ground water board (CGWB) -the two key cen tral bodies that manage wa ter resources in India. The committee, headed by ex-planning commission member Mihir Shah, has been asked to submit its re port in three months so that government can make a poli cy framework to utilize avail able water resources in the country in a better way . Since more than 60% of the available water is used for irri gation purpose, the focus of the panel would be to recommend suitable re-orientation and res tructuring of the CWC and the CGWB at river basin and sub basin level to take care of the needs of farming sector. While the CWC is working for managingmonitoring surface water, the role of the CGWB is to look after the ground water situation in the country . The idea of restructuring both these central bodies is to optimally develop water resources in India so that all riv er basins and resources can be managed keeping in mind the increasing unpredictability of the monsoon and other climate factors. Decreasing per capita availability of water and the huge projected demand of this natural resources by 2050 are also triggers for such a move. An order of the water re sources ministry on constitution of committee, dated September 11, has specifically mentioned the Gujarat-model of reforms while asking the central body to ensure water availability to farmers through creating last-mileconnectivity . Though it hasn't elaborated on the model, the reference is clearly aimed at Gujarat's proactive approach to push water harvesting, drip irrigation, conservation of water resources through micro irrigation network and setting up or creating village pond, check dams and sand bag dams so that water reaches the farmers in all areas within the state. Godavari, Krishna to be linked today n a good news to farmers, I Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu will release water of river Godavari into Krishna on Wednesday to mark the formal linking of the two rivers. The programme will be held near Vijayawada. State water resources minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao said that the state has created history by completing the river linking project to divert about 80 TMC of water from Godavari to Krishna. The linkage of Godavari water with Krishna basin is being made possible by the `Pattiseema' lift irrigation scheme on Godavari river in West Godavari district. PTI