Guwahati, May 19 (APAC Media): Union Minister for Jal Shakti C.R. Paatil launched the State Water Reforms Framework (SWRF) during the High-Powered Review Board (HPRB) meeting of the Brahmaputra Board.
This marks a major step towards improving water governance and sustainable resource management across the country.
The SWRF has been designed as a transformative initiative to support States and Union Territories in implementing reforms related to water policy, regulation, digitalisation, infrastructure, research and development, and community participation. The framework aims to encourage evidence-based decision-making and institutional strengthening in the water sector in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Under the initiative, States and UTs have been provided a preparation period of seven months, until December 31, 2026, to undertake key reforms and align their water management practices with the new framework.
The HPRB meeting was chaired by C.R. Paatil and attended by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary, senior officials from the Centre and North Eastern States, technical experts, and other stakeholders.
The meeting gained added significance following the recent reconstitution of the HPRB, which now includes Sikkim and West Bengal. It also comes amid the transformation of the Brahmaputra Board into a modern River Basin Organisation (RBO) focused on scientific planning and integrated river management.
The Board is currently implementing initiatives related to flood and erosion control, river basin planning, spring-shed rejuvenation, drainage development, and digital transformation across the North Eastern Region and West Bengal.
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