Published 22:34 IST, October 23rd 2018
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis declares "drought-like situation" in half of the state
Maharashtra is on the verge of a severe drought. This year, the state received less rainfall than the average rainfall.
- India News
- 0 min read
Maharashtra is on the verge of a severe drought. This year, the state received less rainfall than the average rainfall. Many parts of the states are facing acute water shortage. Worst affected areas are Marathwada, Vidarbha and North Maharashtra. After taking stock of the situation in different tehsils and report of the water supply and sanitation department, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, has declared a ‘drought-like situation‘ in 180 tehsils of the state. After the cabinet meeting, CM Fadnavis briefed reporters about the current status of water problems in the state. He said:
"Maharashtra has 353 tehsils and among all this talukas, nearly 180 talukas are facing acute water scarcity. These tehsils were selected after strictly following scientific norms of Government of India of trigger 1 & 2 and also various mitigation measures will be implemented in these villages from today".
He further added:
"Efforts and measures by the government include concession in a land revenue, agricultural pumps, educational fees, continued power supply to agricultural pumps, availability of tankers for drinking water. A team of a central government will soon visit affected talukas to make their own assessment and declare assistance".
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Even though Devendra Fadnavis announced a drought like situations, the opposition parties are planning to hold a protest against the ruling government. Congress had announced that they will start 3rd phase of ‘Jan Sangharsh yatra’ from 24th October. During this yatra, they will visit drought-affected areas of Marathwada. Congress has alleged that CM Devendra Fadnavis’s flagship ‘Jalyukt Shivar’ project is the biggest scam in the state.
Maharashtra congress chief Ashok Chavan alleged that, "Government has spent crores of money on publicity stunts rather than concrete policies. Crores have been spent but there has been no change in the water table. Jalyukt shivar has only benefited private contractors affiliated with the BJP."
Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has also slammed the government and urged them to declare a "drought" not a "drought-like situation" in affected Talukas. Uddhav Thackeray is on the tour of Maharashtra and is meeting farmers.
Updated 22:34 IST, October 23rd 2018