GUWAHATI, Dec 11 � Union Minister for Water Resources Harish Rawat said the restructuring of the Brahmaputra Board is already under the consideration of his Ministry, according to an official press note.
In a letter to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, Rawat said his Ministry has been examining the issues raised by Gogoi in his memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during the latter�s visit to Assam on April 20 this year.
Rawat said the draft document on restructuring of the Brahmaputra Board as Basin Level Organisation/Authority has been sent to north-eastern States including Brahmaputra Board for their views and a final decision on the matter would be taken after completion of a consultative process. On strengthening of the North Eastern Hydraulic and Allied Research Institute (NEHARI), Rawat said the Ministry is concerned with the issue and has directed the authorities concerned to expedite the matter.
Regarding Gogoi�s plea to enhance the funding pattern for Command Area Development works from 50:50 to 90:10 in respect of the Special Category States, including Assam, Rawat pointed out that the proposal to enhance the funding pattern during XII Plan is under consideration of the Ministry.
On the issue of a separate Research cum Training Institute in Guwahati raised by Chief Minister Gogoi, Rawat pointed out that there was no need for such a separate institute, as the Ministry has taken initiatives to make the North Eastern Regional Institute of Land and Water Management (NERIWALM) at Tezpur as a centre of excellence in the field of research, training and capacity building.
�A collaboration mechanism will be established between CWC, NWA and NERIWALM in various courses that can be conducted in the institute for training and capacity building of personnel engaged in water resources development and management. The facilities for training and capacity building in the institute will be further strengthened as and when need arises,� he pointed out.
