Maha govt seeks to raise Rs 9,000 cr loans for drought relief

"Out of Rs 9,000 crore, we expect to get permission for atleast Rs 7,000 crore. The state government has written to Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram in this regard. We are working seriously on how to resolve the acute water scarcity," Chavan told reporters here after the Cabinet meeting.

The drought situation in the state, especially in Marathwada, is extremely serious, he said.

"Increasing the number of water tankers and instructions to ensure that water goes into syntex tanks and not wells have been given. This will ensure that the water is not wasted and the quantity can be measured," he said.

Authorities have been told to find out more sources of water and restart closed water supply schemes on state government's expense, he said.

As many as 1,155 villages and 3,709 wadas (hamlets) are experiencing acute water scarcity. The state has water storage of only 44 per cent.