1,479 dams built in drought-hit talukas: Chavan

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan today said 1,497 check dams have been constructed in the state's drought-hit talukas which will considerably improve the water storage capacity during monsoons.
The check dams, to be inaugurated on June 9, had been constructed at the cost of Rs 150 crore, Chavan told reporters after a kharif crop review meeting here.
"Desilting of dry water reservoirs was done on a massive scale with people's participation," he said.
"In four districts of western Maharashtra, the check dams will result in water storage of additional 8.5 tmc," he said.
Desilting work has been done on a massive scale through people's participation as a result of which the storage capacity of water reservoirs is expected to increase, Chavan said.

Farm ponds have been constructed and the catchment areas have been widened, he said.

In 2013-14, considering the prospects of a good monsoon, the agriculture growth rate is expected to be at 10 per cent, the Chief Minister said.
"To achieve the target, all district guardian ministers have held review meetings at village, taluka and district level to ensure that the agriculture production target is achieved," he said.
There is adequate seeds, fertilisers stock and the credit plan has been increased from Rs 27,000 crore to Rs 34,000 crore. "So there can be more credit supply to farmers," he said.

Chavan said commercial banks are now providing 51 per cent of the agriculture credit to farmers while co-operative banks are providing 49 per cent.
RBI had passed restrictions against eight banks including Nagpur, Wardha, Buldhana, Osmanabad, Dhule Nandurbar and Jalna co-operative banks. Out of these, Dhule-Nandurbar and Jalna banks have been revived and banking licence has been given to them.