Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The Godavari Marathwada Irrigation Development Corporation (GMIDC) has announced the shifting of the headquarters of 14 of its key offices from June 1, following instructions from water resources minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil.
Among the key changes, the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar-based office of the water resources department chief engineer has been shifted to Nanded. Moreover, the headquarters of three offices related to the Upper Penganga irrigation project have been shifted to Loni from Ahilyanagar, which was earlier based in Nanded. Additionally, Parbhani has been made the headquarters of another key office of superintendent engineer, instead of Parli in Beed.
The changes have evoked mixed reactions. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Ambadas Danve has demanded that the shifting of headquarters of GMIDC offices be cancelled immediately. He said, “The reshuffling of GMIDC offices is nothing but sheer ‘Tughlaq-style administration’. What kind of geography is taken into account while moving the Nanded offices related to the Upper Painganga Project to Loni in Ahilyanagar? Which century’s maps did the government consult before taking this decision?” Terming the proposed decision as mental agony for Marathwada, Danve has warned of intense protest on the issue.
Regarding the shifting of one of the key offices to Parbhani, water rights activist Abhijeet Dhanorkar said it was a long-pending demand. “The decision would benefit different stakeholders from Parbhani district, which falls at the tail end of the Jayakwadi dam and is often denied its share of water. We hope for equitable distribution of water by virtue of the office of the superintendent engineer being established at Parbhani,” he said.
A senior GMIDC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Vikhe Patil ordered the changes to make the work of the corporation dynamic, people-oriented, and work-compatible. “The move aims to bring more harmony in the work of different departments. As regards shifting three offices to Ahilyanagar, the decision is taken in the backdrop of implementation of the proposed river-linking project and other mega projects,” he explained.
Vikhe Patil could not be reached for his comments.
