Aamir Khan may be face of Maharashtra's Jalyukta Shivaar Abhiyaan

Even as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has been inspecting the work done under Jalyukta Shivaar Abhiyaan, Bollywood star Aamir Khan would be championing the cause of the campaign for making Maharashtra drought-free forever.

Khan, who is the goodwill ambassador for Unicef and is also part of the 'Incredible India' campaign for the tourism department. The actor recently met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis for Swachh Maharashtra initiative, but after the CM informed him about the Jalyukta Shivaar Abhiyaan and its importance, Khan took a keen interest in the campaign. A special presentation on the Abhiyaan was organized for Khan, which went on for 6 hours. After this session Khan, decided to champion the cause and assured the CM that he would actively participate in this campaign.

An official from the CM's office informed dna recently that since the monsoon has begun, the results of the Abhiyaan have made themselves visible at various sites where Abhiyaan works have been undertaken. The official said that it is likely that Khan would visit a few sites to see the work for himself, and then would plan his own tour to spread the message about this campaign.

The official said that there are 6,202 villages selected from six revenue divisions of Nashik, Amravati, Nagpur, Pune, Konkan and Aurangabad divisions, for the Abhiyaan. Work at almost 60,000 sites is finished and is under progress at about 34,000 places. In more than 2,500 villages, the work is going forward with people's participation. So far there are projects worth Rs250 crore, which are being carried out with people's participation; while the state government is carrying out works worth Rs539 crore from its allocation for this campaign. In all the state is aiming at completing works for 5,000 villages in the first year and has allocated Rs1000 crore for the same.


Sources informed dna that CM Fadnavis had spoken to Aamir Khan in the first week of March about his being the ambassador for the Jalyukta Shivaar Abhiyaan. Khan has taken his time over the decision- after going through the detailed presentation for six hours, he would be visiting a few sites to see the work for himself and then would take a call on campaigning for the Abhiyaan. The government is not particular about his being ambassador for the campaign, provided he spreads its message.