Rampant use of groundwater has led to scarcity: Sharad Pawar

Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar on Sunday said the rampant use of groundwater has caused severe water scarcity in the state and there is need to recharge groundwater to fight the scarcity.

Pawar was addressing the panchayat raj convention organised by the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on its second day at Balewadi on Sunday.

Pawar said, “As chief minister of the state, I had taken a decision against water meters. However, now I feel it was a mistake, as it resulted in rampant use of groundwater in the state. Maharashtra has gone on the list of states having the least groundwater in the country.”

Pawar added, “Excess use of groundwater has resulted in water scarcity in the state. The state faced a drought situation in 1972. Though, at that time groundwater was available. Now, there is no water and the dams have only about 5 to 10% water.”

Pawar urged members of gram panchayat, panchayat samiti and zilla parishad to ensure recharging of groundwater. He said, “We all need to take efforts in recharging groundwater levels in the state. It is our duty not to waste water, and NCP workers will take efforts to improve groundwater level in the state.”