Keri: The ministry of jal shakti has appointed D S Chaskar as chairperson of the Mahadayi–Progressive River Authority for Welfare and Harmony (Mahadayi-Prawah) with effect from June 1.Chaskar succeeds Azhagesan Rangaswami, who held the post from May 25 to May 31 following the completion of P M Scott’s tenure. Scott had served as chairperson since the authority’s inception.Union govt constituted Mahadayi-Prawah in 2023 on the recommendations of the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal award of Aug 18, 2018. While its headquarters is designated in Panaji, Goa govt has provided office space at Sinchayi Bhawan in Porvorim.A postgraduate in design engineering from IIT Mumbai, Chaskar joined the Central Water Commission as an assistant director in central water engineering and went on to serve in several positions, including deputy director and director.The authority’s fifth and latest meeting was held in New Delhi on Dec 24, 2025. Discussions focused on standardising procedures for the appraisal and clearance of irrigation and drinking water projects proposed by member states.At the meeting, Goa sought a joint inspection of the Kalasa Nalla project site at Kankumbi, alleging diversion of water into the Malaprabha basin. Karnataka opposed the proposal, following which the authority decided to seek legal opinion from Central Water Commission.
