Would ask for more drought relief for Maha: Pawar

Terming the drought situation in Maharashtra as "grim," Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said he would recommend the Centre to release more funds for the state to tackle the problem.

"The situation is grim and an important decision regarding the future mode of action would be taken soon in New Delhi by the Drought Eradication Committee (headed by Pawar)," the Union Minister said while addressing people during a visit to drought hit villages here yesterday.

Fodder camps would be set in the drought hit areas and the government would increase the wages given to the EGS workers, he said. "I have never seen such a serious situation," Pawar later told reporters at the collectorate here last night and said that he would recommend the Union government to release more funds to the state, as well as food grains to the BPL and AGL families. The state government should send proposals to the Centre to tackle drought, Pawar said, adding that he would take necessary steps in this regard.

Earlier, Pawar visited drought hit villages of the district where he addressed people saying the parties should not politicise the grim drought situation in the state.