In a significant move aimed at strengthening flood management, river development and coordinated water governance in the Brahmaputra basin region, the Central Government has reconstituted the High Powered Review Board under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.A related notification that coincides with the victory of the BJP in West Bengal, a key constituent of the Board, says the newly reconstituted structure will be chaired by Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil and include Chief Ministers of northeastern states and Bengal.The Board comprises the Chief Ministers of Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, West Bengal and Sikkim, or Cabinet Ministers duly authorised by them. Besides state representatives, the Board will also include the Union Minister or Minister of State for Finance, Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Union Minister or Minister of Power, Union Minister or Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, and Union Minister or Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways.Senior officials, including the Secretary of the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation and the Chairman of the Central Water Commission, have also been included as members. The Chairman of the Brahmaputra Board will serve as the Member-Secretary of the Board. In addition, Member (RM) of the Central Water Commission will remain a permanent invitee to all Board meetings.The notification stated that the Board will formulate policies and oversee the functioning of the Brahmaputra Board to ensure efficient river management and infrastructure planning in the region.Its headquarters will continue to function from Guwahati, while secretarial assistance will be provided by the Chairman of the Brahmaputra Board.The resolution supersedes earlier notifications issued by the erstwhile Ministry of Irrigation in 1982 and the Ministry of Water Resources in 1992, signalling a renewed institutional framework for coordinated management of the Brahmaputra and allied river systems.Officials said the reconstitution assumes significance in view of recurring floods, erosion, interstate coordination challenges and the growing need for integrated river basin management in the northeastern region.