Aurangabad: The Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority ( MWRRA ) has sent a letter to the irrigation department authorities, seeking explanation about the alleged illegal water release from upstream dams of Jayakwadi project.In a letter issued to the Godavari Marathwada Irrigation Development Corporation (GMIDC) on Monday, MWRRA secretary Suresh Kulkarni has asked for necessary action, if needed and submission of the related report.On July 9, TOI had carried a report highlighting the issue of alleged diversion of water from dams in upstream areas of Jayakwadi major irrigation project and non-operational of gates on water weirs.Water activist Abhijit Dhanorkar, who had filed a written complaint with MWRRA about water theft from upstream areas especially Ahmednagar, said the water regulatory body must take stern action in the matter.The GMIDC officials have been allowing brazen violation of directives from the Bombay high court and MWRRA. "Such lapses have been taking a toll on water needs of Marathwada. It is a high time that stern action is taken against concerned officials and others those who are involved," he said on Tuesday.The Bombay high court, in its order dated September 23, 2016 in the matter of equitable water distribution, had specifically asked for implementation of MWRRA decisions, regarding diversion of monsoon flows.As per the concerned order by water regulator, the diversion of water through canals, flood canals, rivers and streams for Kharif use outside the project command, or for filling tanks and farm ponds is to be allowed on the upstream projects in Nashik and Ahmednagar districts, only after the Paithan (Jayakwadi) reservoir reaches its full-designed capacity.In another important directive, the MWRRA had also asked that KT weir needles which obstructs the flow of water should not be placed in position (in upstream areas) until an equitable distribution is achieved by October end.Advocate Pradeep Deshmukh of Marathawada Janata Vikas Parishad said, "The alleged negligence on the part of GMIDC towards an assumed illegal water diversion from upstream areas of Jayakwadi makes a strong contempt of court case.""The high court has upheld the crucial rulings of MWRRA and the same has been violated by the irrigation department officials. While such diversion of monsoon flows are not new to drought-prone Marathwada, the water regulatory body should take a strong action to set the right precedent," he said.In a complaint made before MWRRA, it was alleged that the Ozar weir had been witnessing a release of water at a speed of 703 cusec from the left bank canal system and separate discharge of 249 cusec from right bank canal system. Also, gates of 16 and 14 water-weirs built on Pravara River and Godavari River respectively, were still not lifted despite such standing order from MWRRA that was backed by the judiciary, it was alleged.Top authorities of GMIDC could not be reached for comments as few of them were in Mumbai to attend a canal advisory committee meeting. Other senior officials said necessary reply would be submitted to the MWRRA, shortly.

Stay updated with all the Latest Aurangabad headlines here. For more exclusive & live news updates from all around India, stay connected with NYOOOZ.