Authority

The Authority is a body of five persons as per MWRRA (Amendment) Act 2016, viz.

Chairperson
Member – Water Resources Engineering
Member – Economics
Member – Groundwater Management
Member – Law

Currently these positions are held by the following:

Position	Name	Date of Joining
Chairperson	Dr. Sanjay Chahande	24/12/2022
Member, Water Resources Engineering	Mr. Rajendra Dattajirao Mohite	11/03/2024
Member, Economics	Smt. Shwetali A. Thakare-	03/06/2021
Member, Groundwater Management	Dr. Prabhat Kumar Jain	13/09/2024
Member, Law	Dr. Sadhana S. Mahashabade	10/12/2021

Their tenure is for a period of 3 years from the date of joining.

Dr Sanjay Ambadas Chahande
Chairman

INTRODUCTION

Dr. Sanjay Chahande is a retired IAS officer of 1988 batch. He is a medical graduate and further holds M.Sc. from the London School of Economics, U.K. and Masters in Public Administration, MPA, from the Maxwell School, Syracuse University, U.S.A.
In his career spanning more than 34 years in the IAS, he held important portfolios like CEO ZP Nanded, Collector Mumbai and Mumbai Suburban District, Director General Information and Public Relations, Divisional Commissioner, Nasik Division.
He was the Director General Yashada, Pune and also held the charge as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Pune in the year 2011-2012. He worked as Dy. Director General of Aadhaar while working in the Government of India.
He was the Secretary of the Department of Women and Child Welfare, Secretary in the Chief Minister office, Principal Secretary Higher and Technical Education, Additional Chief Secretary Water supply, and the General Administration Department (AR).

Mr. Rajendra Dattajirao Mohite
Member, Water Resources Engineering

INTRODUCTION

Executive Director Vidarbha Irrigation Development, Corporation, Nagpur (Since 13/01/2021 to till now)
– Construction/ Water Management of Major, Medium and Minor irrigation projects in Vidarbha region under PMKSY and BJSY of Central Govt added schemes, which are mostly in suicide- prone and backlog district of Amravati Region of which progress is monitored by Hon Governor of Maharashtra.
Secretary (Project Co- ordination) Water Resources Department, Mantralaya, Mumbai (Holding Additional Charge Since 01/11/2022) to till date.
– Technical and administrative governance of various activities related to Water Resources Department, especially Co-ordination with Govt of India and all other relevant departments. Technical Scrutiny of proposal for A.A and Revised A.A and process for sanction.

Technical guidance and Co-ordination with field officers and Secretary, Jashakti, Mantralaya, New Delhi for progress of works in Pradhanmantri Krishi Sinchan Projects and Baliraja (Special package) Projects in Maharashtra.
Preparation and processing yearly plan of expenditure to complete projects which gives low having fruits, in accordance with Hon’ble Governers formula.

Joint Secretary (Water Resources), Mantralaya (July 2021 to Jan 2022)
– Technical Scrutiny of Irrigation projects, reports, water policy, law and regulatory related to water governance. Analysis of water revenue from Irrigation as Non- Irrigation customers and Assisting MWRRA for fixing water tarrifs for the same.
Chief Engineer Water Resources, Pune (Feb 2019- to July 2021)
– Overall technical and Administrative head of the region. Construction and Water Management of all Major / Medium / Small / L.I. Schemes under MKVDC in 6 districts of Western Maharashtra. Overall planning or monitoring of projects in region, interstate issues pertaining to Govt of Karnataka regarding flood central in Krishna Basin.
Chief Engineer and Chief Water Auditor, Aurangabad (July 2017 to Feb 2019)
– Special unit opened by GOM for Water Audit of irrigation projects and Non Irrigation customers under WRD. Worked here as Chief Auditor, (Water of Irrigation) as a regular post and prepared vast N.I. customer’s data, formats for monitoring and auditing the same, visited almost more than 50 Major N.I. customers. Gave support to MWRRA for analysing and deciding Water tariff for Irrigation and non-Irrigation customers. Prepared yearly audit reports Bench making Reports and Irrigation status Reports pending for last 5-6 years. Increased non Irrigation recovery by minimising water loss / theft after my visits and guidance to field engineers.
Superintending Engineer, Kukadi Project Circle, Pune (Dec 2015 to Aug 2017)
– Construction and water management of major, medium and small Irrigation Projects, large L.I Schemes viz. Tembhu, Takari, Mhaisal schemes, water release from Koyna Dam and Hydroelectric works.

– Monitoring progress of works aided by Central Govt.

– Flood control of Krishna Koyna, Warna Rivers with co-ordination with officials in Karnataka Govt.

– Handling interstate Water dispute issues with Karnataka related to Dudhganga Interstate Project.
Superintending Engineer Koyna Hydro Electric Project, Satara. (July 2014 to Dec 2015)
– Construction and water management of major, medium and small Irrigation Projects, large L.I Schemes viz. Tembhu, Takari, Mhaisal schemes, water release from Koyna Dam and Hydroelectric works.

– Monitoring progress of works aided by Central Govt.

– Flood control of Krishna Koyna, Warna Rivers with co-ordination with officials in Karnataka Govt.

– Handling interstate Water dispute issues with Karnataka related to Dudhganga Interstate Project.
Superintending Engineer Sangli Irrigation Circle (July 2010 to Dec 2014)
– Construction and water management of major, medium and small Irrigation Projects, large L.I Schemes viz. Tembhu, Takari, Mhaisal schemes, water release from Koyna Dam and Hydroelectric works.

– Monitoring progress of works aided by Central Govt.

– Flood control of Krishna Koyna, Warna Rivers with co-ordination with officials in Karnataka Govt.

– Handling interstate Water dispute issues with Karnataka related to Dudhganga Interstate Project.
Superintending Engineer Kolhapur Irrigation Circle, Kolhapur (Dec 2006 to July 2010)
– Construction and water management of major, medium and small Irrigation Projects, large L.I Schemes viz. Tembhu, Takari, Mhaisal schemes, water release from Koyna Dam and Hydroelectric works.

– Monitoring progress of works aided by Central Govt.

– Flood control of Krishna Koyna, Warna Rivers with co-ordination with officials in Karnataka Govt.

– Handling interstate Water dispute issues with Karnataka related to Dudhganga Interstate Project.
Deputy Secretary Water Resources Department, Mantrlaya (June 2006 to Dec 2010)
– Policy making, Planning as monitoring small M.I. Project in Maharashtra and process projects for Revised Administration Approvals.
Executive Engineer CADA Cell Pune.
– Technical scrutiny of CADA projects under Pune region.
Executive Engineer Koyna Design, Division Pune (Feb 1999 to Aug 2004)
– Design of various components of Koyna stage IV and Koyna Dam Foot Power House.
Executive Engineer Tembhu L.I. Scheme Oglewadi (May 1998 to Feb 1999)
– Construction of Tembhu Lift Irrigation Scheme in Sangli / Satara/ Solapur Districts.
Executive Engineer Sangli Irrigation Division, Sangli (May 1995 to May 1998)
– Worked as Executive Engineer for Water Management of Lifts / Major / Miner projects in Sangli Districts. Recovered record irrigation cess during the tenure. Handled Interstate issues as a member of State Govt. for co-ordination in floods of Krishna River.
Executive Engineer Ghatghar Pumped storage Scheme, Shahapur (July 1993 to May 1995)
– Survey and construction of Hydroelectric projects in Thane Districts.
Assistant Executive Engineer (Mhaisal LIS as MID Baramati) Sept 1990 to Sept 1993
– Construction of Mhaisal Lift Irrigation Scheme and M.I projects in Baramati Dist. Pune.
Assistant Executive Engineer (Induction Training) Sept 1989 to Sept 1990
– Induction training @MERI, and WALMI Aurangabad and field training to direct recruits of MPSC engineers in GOM., after selection for class one post.

Mr. Sanjay Devidas Kulkarni
Member, Water Resources Engineering

INTRODUCTION

Executive Director TIDC (Period- Since 21/04/2016) –Technical & Administrative Head of Tapi Irrigation Development Corporation, Jalgaon Especially dealing with technical problems in designs of barrages & resuming the works after 6 years, Linking of Rivers, Integrated State Water Plan for Tapi Basin & also of Entire State, Introduction of pnumatically operated ballon weirs to negotiate flash floods(Alternative to KT weir), formulation of Mega Recharge Scheme &; DPR Preparation.
Chief Engineer Specified Projects Pune (Period-31/08/2016 to 30/08/2017 )Overall technical & administrative head of the region. Irrigation management in Solapur, Pune, Ahmadnagar and Satara district of Pune region, Head of Construction of Projects in Solapur and Satara Districts. Prepration of DPR of projects, Overall planning and release of water related to Ujani Project, Kukadi Project, Master Plan of Krishna Basin.
Director & Superintending Engineer, Irrigation Research and Development, Pune (Period-21/9/2013 to 30/08/2016 ) – Technical Head for state in planning of Drainage Schemes in saline area of command of Irrigation Projects, Editor of quarterly publication of “Sinchan” Magazine. Establishment Head of Class-III, IV in Irrigation Department for 6 districts in Pune region, Head of “Water Utilisation Association Cell” Scrutiny of AIBP proposals for entire State.
Superientending Engineer and Deputy Secreatary (Irrigation Management and Major Projects) (Period-5/8/2010 to April-2015) :- Policy making in irrigation management including deciding tariff, Sectoral allocation, worked as a member in Committee for MWRRA Act Reforms, Formulation of Rules and as a Member in a Committee for Irrigation Act 1976 Reforms & formulated Rules report submitted to Govt. As a Deputy Secreatary in Major Projects dealt with ” White Paper ” & SIT ( Chitale Committee ) & Prepared Action Taken Report on it.
Superientending Engineer Akola Irrigation Circle, Akola (Period-21/10/2005 to 4/8/2010) :- Was administative head of 5 backlog districts in Amaravati region, Head of Management of 3 Major, 16 Medium and 350 Minor Projects in the region. Also prepard DPR for about 95 M.I. Projects and was incharge of construction of 2 major, 8 medium and 115 minor Projects, Completed almost 40 M.I. Tanks & One Medium Project, Executed PM package and Projects in backlog districts.
Executive Engineer Krishna Water Dispute Tribunal (Period 20/9/2002 to 20/10/2005- Pioneer in setting up of functioning of KWDT, Formulated Maharashtra Statement of case in KWDT, Prepared replies to Karnataka & Andhra’s Petitions in Tribunal, Krishna -Marathawada DPR submitted to Government.
Executive Engineer Dhom Balkwadi Division, Wai Dist. Satara (Period- May-99 to Oct-2002) – In charge of Construction of Dhom balkwadi Project such as Dam, Canal, tunnels (12 Km), Completed Dam & Started 67 Km Canal works, also rehabilitation of 6 village is done.
Executive Engineer Ghatghar Hydroelectric Civil Division No.2, Shahapur Dist.Thane (Period- Oct-95 to May-99) – Incharge of RCC Dam & Ghatghar Pumped Storage Scheme (First Pumped Storage Scheme In Maharashtra) & Prepatory works of Colony, Roads etc.
Executive Engineer Koyna Conservation Division No.1 Koynanagar Tal. Patan Dist . Satara (Period- Sept-91 to Oct-95)- – ncharge of Koyna Stage-IV works from Intake tunnel to pressure shaft including 4.5 km HRT, Surge shaft, intake shafts & Lake Tapping Work.
Assistant Executive Engineer Chaskaman Project, Rajgurnagar Dist.Pune. (Period-Oct-89 to June-90) – Incharge of quality control of Chaskaman Project and Survey, Construction of canal & distribution network of Chaskaman Project.
Assistant Executive Engineer Quality Control Sub-Dn Panshet tal. Velhe Dist. Pune (Period-July-88 to Oct-89) – Incharge of Warsgaon Power House, Commissioned Dam Foot Power House
Assistant Executive Engineer, MERI, Nashik (Period-June-87 to July-88) – Trainee officer in MERI, Nashik , Walmi and IIT Powai, Mumbai.

Smt. Shwetali Thakare
Member, Economics

INTRODUCTION CA Shwetali Thakare is a Chartered Accountant, fellow member of Institute of Chartered Accountant of India, Certified Public Accountant (USA), Certified Information System Auditor (ISACA) and a Commerce Graduate. She has domestic and International work experience providing services at Governing and Management level to Government, Regulatory Authority, Public Sector Undertakings and various other Organization. She has rich experience of 23 years in the field of Economics, administration, taxation Costing, Planning & managing financial services, Accounting Services, Government accounting and grants, Judicial, tariff preparation and into public policy preparation.

Practicing Lawyer since 20 years. Handled several matters in Supreme Court, National Green Tribunal, High Court of Bombay and several Civil and Criminal lower Courts, Consumer Courts, etc.

Dr. Sadhana Mahashabde
Member, Law

INTRODUCTION

From 1984 to 1986 worked as Programmer cum System Analyst with Crompton Greaves Ltd., Bhandup.
From 1987 to 1990 worked as Special Executive Magistrate for Mahim Police Station, Mumbai.
1989 to 1998 worked as free-lance Journalist.
Enrolled to Bar Council of Maharashtra & Goa on 08/09/1998 with Roll No. Mah/1238/1998 and onwards practicing as a lawyer.
Practicing Lawyer since 20 years. Handled several matters in Supreme Court, National Green Tribunal, High Court of Bombay and several Civil and Criminal lower Courts, Consumer Courts, etc.
Delivering lectures with slide shows regarding environment awareness in several schools, colleges, societies, clubs and institutes and training programs.
Participated as a lawyer in Doordarshan Kendra of Mumbai’s Program. Delivered series of lectures on Radio Mumbai “B” and FM Gold channel.
Ethics Committee member for KEM Hospital and Medical College, Mumbai from 2009 to 2014.
Presented papers in several International and National Seminars on Women’s Empowerment, Environment and Human Rights
Managing Trustee of (OPCR) Organisation for Protection of Children’s Right. Every Sunday a special program called ‘Kirtee Kiran’ is conducted in Kirtee College, Dadar for street children.
Incharge of Mahim Mangroves project of “Save Mangroves Foundation” and Founder Trustee of “Forum for Public Interest”, Times Foundation of Times of India.
Visiting Professor of Environment Law to Institute of science, Journalism course of Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh, New Law College, Mahim, D.Y. Patil Law College, New Mumbai. Environmental Architecture and Urban Planning for Post Graduation Course of Rachana Sansad and Rizvi College of Architecture, Bandra.
Senior Counsel for the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board. Dealing with matters on Mill Land issues, Municipal Solid Waste issues, Eco sensitive zone, Mahabaleshwar issue, Hazardous Waste issues, Noise Pollution issues, Bio Medical Waste issues and Common Effluent Tratment Plant issues in Supreme Court, High Court of Mumbai and National Green Tribunal.
Panel Lawyer for Pune Municipal Corporation. Attending Mula Mutha river pollution and Tree Authority and Tree cutting Matters, etc. in the High Court of Mumbai.
Appointed as Senior Counsel Group-I on the panel of Central Government since 6th April 2010.
Received Rajiv Gandhi Paryavaran Bhushan Puraskar 2010 by the hands of Chief Minister of Maharashtra on 05/06/2010, Environment Day.
Chairperson of Global Enviro Solutions, NGO dedicated towards Environment Protection.
Secretary of Institution for Environmental Architecture and Research (IEAR).
Appointed as a Notary by Government of India, Ministry of Law and Justice, Department of Legal Affairs, Notary Cell on 28/02/2019.
Appointed as Member (Law) in Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority on 10/12/2021.

Dr. Prabhat Kumar Jain
Member, Groundwater

INTRODUCTION

Dr. Prabhat Kumar Jain, born in December 1961, embarked on his academic journey by obtaining a Master of Technology (M.Tech) degree in Applied Geology from the University of Sagar (Madhya Pradesh) in 1983. He furthered his expertise by earning a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Hydrogeology from Visvesvaraya Regional College of Engineering (VRCE), Nagpur University (Maharashtra) in 2005. His professional career commenced as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Geology at the University of Sagar. He then joined the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Batch 1985. Over the next three and a half decades, he served in various capacities, demonstrating his versatility and dedication to his field. His illustrious career culminated in his retirement as Regional Director in December 2021, marking approximately 35 years of services. He possesses over 35 years of extensive experience and expertise in:

Hydrogeological surveys, investigations, mapping, and data generation.
Managing projects on water supply investigation and source sustainability.
Implementing artificial recharge projects to augment groundwater reservoirs.
Conceptualizing, designing, and preparing project proposals, as well as formulating and implementing strategies.
Scrutinizing project proposals and monitoring progress.
Collaborating with state governments to implement Central Sector Schemes and representing CGWB on various Central and State-level committees.
Conducting mass awareness programs on water conservation and resource management to educate the public and end-users.
Organizing training sessions for capacity building at various levels.
Coordinating seminars, symposia, workshops, brainstorming sessions, and meetings to formulate management plans and strategies.

Dr. Prabhat Kumar Jain has received extensive national and international training on various aspects of groundwater management, including:

Application of GEMS, organized by RGI CGWB under the World Bank-assisted Hydrology Project in Ahmedabad
Isotopes and Chemical Techniques in Ground Water Hydrology, conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Austria, at BARC, under the United Nations Development Programme, focusing on access to safe drinking water
Hydrogeophysical methods for mapping aquifers, Aarhus Workbench, organized at NGRI by Aarhus University, Denmark
Water Resources Management in Rural Areas and Integrated Water Resources Management on Irrigation and Drainage (A), organised by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan
Administrative Training for Senior Officers of CGWB, held at IIPM, New Delhi
Leadership Development Programme, at IIM, Ahmedabad
Mentoring Skills, organized by RGI, CGWB, in Raipur

Dr. Jain has had the privilege of representing India on a 4-members delegation to Australia, led by the Secretary of MoWR, RD & GR, Government of India, to attend the Indian-Australian Joint Working Group Meeting.

His literary contributions as scientists in CGWB include authoring seminal works such as: Hydrogeology of Maharashtra, Hydrogeological Atlas of Maharashtra, Master Plan for Artificial Recharge in Maharashtra State, Pilot Project on Aquifer Mapping etc. besides hundreds of useful scientific and technical reports. Under his supervision the “National Aquifer Mapping Program” a flagship program of the Ministry of Jalshakti , Govt of India was undertaken in the state of Maharashtra and the UT of D&NH.

Dr. Jain’s extensive research has focused on addressing the Inland Salinity Problem of Purna Alluvial Basin in Maharashtra, culminating in a comprehensive Action Plan on Remedial Measures. He has also made significant strides in mitigating water scarcity in Maharashtra through artificial recharge.
Notably, he played a pivotal role in scrutinizing the feasibility report and Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the groundbreaking Mega Recharge Project in Tapi Alluvial basin, a pioneering initiative in India valued at approximately Rs 5,000 crores.

Under his guidance, a pioneering Heli-born geophysical survey (SkyTEM) for groundwater exploration was conducted in Nagpur district in 2013, a first-of-its-kind endeavor in the state.
Dr. Prabhat Kumar Jain has an impressive portfolio of technical papers, published and presented in numerous national and international seminars, workshops, symposia, and esteemed journals. In addition to his research contributions, he has also edited and authored books, includes “Sedimentary Rocks and Aquifers: New Insights” (Intech Open, London, 2023), “Bhujal Manthan” (CGWB, CR, Nagpur, 2018), and “Jalyogi” (Madhyma Prakashan Nagpur in Hindi, 2023) beside several seminar, symposia, conference volumes.

Dr. Jain is a distinguished life fellow of many prestigious institutions, such as Indian Water Resources Society (IWRS), Indian Water Works Association (IWWA), Gondwana Geological Society (GGS), and Indian Association of Hydrologists (IAH). He has also held esteemed positions, such as Honorary Secretary and Chairman of IWRS, Nagpur Centre, and currently serves as Vice Chairman of IWWA, Nagpur Centre. In these roles, he has organized various national and international workshops, seminars, conferences, and symposia, as well as delivered numerous popular lecture series.

Dr. Jain’s outstanding contributions have been recognized with many awards, including the prestigious “Jal Seva” Award from IWWA (2016-17), Best Lecture Award (2018-19), and Linga Raja Das Memorial Trophy (2019-20) from IWWA.