Siddhivinayak trust donates Rs1 crore to alleviate water woes in Nashik

The Mumbai-based Siddhivinayak Temple Trust has donated Rs1 crore to improve water supply in parched villages of Nashik district. Senior trust officials extended the financial assistance through a cheque to the district administration on Wednesday.

Trust chairman Narendra Rane said the money was given under their 'Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan' scheme, which aims at alleviating water woes of people in rural Maharashtra. The temple trust has decided to donate Rs1 crore to each to all the districts in the state for the cause, he said.

Welcoming the help, resident district collector Bhanudas Palve said they have already identified a few villages where the money would be spent. "The trust can also review the work there."

Meanwhile, the Shirdi Sai temple trust and Coca Cola India have decided to donate Rs1 crore and Rs1.40 crore respectively for improved water supply in the district.

Administration officials said the government will be spending Rs386 crore this financial year on cement bunding, farm ponds, forestation and water conservation. The state government has set the target of ensuring regular water supply to 25,000 villages in the next five years.