EC allows Water Ministry to seek Cabinet's nod for scheme

With the model code of conduct in force, the Water Resources Ministry had sought the Election Commission's approval to place before the Union Cabinet a scheme to better predict floods, which the EC has allowed.

The Ministry had recently approached the poll panel to seek its approval on placing before the Union Cabinet the Development of Water Resources Information System (DWRIS) proposal as there was a view that since the model code of conduct has come into force, it would be appropriate to get the nod of the EC.

The proposal could come up before the consideration of the Union Cabinet next week, sources said.

DWRIS would help in better prediction of floods, which could be considered by some as a populist measure ahead of the Assembly elections, the sources said.

A part of the National Water Policy, the project aims to install 800 hydrological observation sites on existing reservoirs and minor and major river basins.

The sites would be eventually linked to a satellite to provide the Ministry with real-time information on water levels.