Govt holds out Rs2,685 crore drought package

Anticipating a bleak situation due to scanty rainfall, the state government on Wednesday announced a Rs2,685 crore package for drought-affected areas in the state assembly.

Relief and rehabilitation minister Patangrao Kadam made the announcement in the state assembly after members from treasury and opposition benches expressed concerns over the acute shortage of water and drought-like situations in various parts of the state.

Leader of opposition Eknath Khadse said most of the measures were implemented in western Maharashtra, while other regions like Vidarbha and Marathwada were majorly hit.

Rubbishing the allegation, Kadam said the facilities have been provided wherever the demands were made.

He admitted that 100 tehsils (of the total 355) and 15,000 villages (of total 42,000) are affected and fighting with the drought-like situation.

“If the reports of the Indian Meteorological Department are to be believed, the current trend of rainfall will continue even in August and this would lead to bleaker situation,” he added.

Of the Rs2,685 crore, a provision of Rs500 crore each has been made for watershed management and works on employment guarantee schemes and Rs600 crore for micro irrigation.

While Rs60 crore has been earmarked for strengthening of the sources, the government has allocated Rs100 crore for farm ponds.

Kadam said that the deadline for the implementation of the scarcity measures has been extended to
July 31, 2012.