Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A plea has been made before the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority (MWRRA) for release of water from upstream areas of the Jayakwadi dam from September 15 for the kharif crops, among other purposes. In his appeal before the MWRRA, water rights activist Abhijit Dhanorkar demanded water release from the upstream areas till the live storage in Jayakwadi Dam reaches 54%.Three distinct strategies for the water release have been laid down in the past in the light of different rulings and recommendations. Considering the overall situation at present, strategy II needs to be effected, allowing the release of water from upstream areas by September 15, he said. Dhanorkar said strategy III, which calls for release of water post-October 15 if the Jayakwadi dam has not reached 65%, can only be implemented by the authorities.The strategy I mentions desired water release from August 15. This along with strategy II was conveniently ignored by the authorities due to pressure from the Nashik and Ahmednagar regions. Marathwada region suffers due to such biased attitude, he said. In the wake of the poor monsoon, Jayakwadi dam has only 35% storage this year as against the overflowing situation during the corresponding period last year. Referring to the recently formed study group for laying down the directive principles for release of water into Jayakwadi Dam from upstream areas, water rights activists said that the group concerned must also review the aforesaid strategies.The review is necessary to ensure equitable water distribution for drought-prone Marathwada. A fair review would avoid regional clashes in Maharashtra for water, activists said, seeking official attention for alleged violation of recommendations of the Mendhegiri panel in 2013 that called for a staggered release of water from the upstream areas towards Jayakwadi dam.The MWRRA, a water regulator for the state, is expected to schedule a hearing soon on the plea filed for desired water release.

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