Maharashtra announces Rs 2685cr package to tackle scarcity

Announcing the package while replying to a debate on drought in assembly, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Patangrao Kadam said the funds would be utilised for irrigation, agriculture, water conservation and recharging of wells, among other things.

Out of the package, Rs 300 crore will go towards irrigation projects in Vidarbha, rural employment guarantee scheme (NREGA) work for water storage in scarcity-hit areas and Rs 500 crore for seeds and fertilisers in rabi season.

A sum of Rs 60 crore will be used for strengthening water sources, Rs 600 crore for micro irrigation projects, Rs 100 crore for Mahatma Phule Jal Abhiyan (water conservation), Rs 100 crore for concessions on interest for reconstituted loans under the Punjabrao Deshmukh Scheme and Rs 500 crore for water shed management, Kadam said.

He said if the trend of scanty rains continue, 100 talukas and 15,000 villages may be affected. The state has experienced only 79 per cent rainfall so far. Last year, despite 102 per cent rainfall, more than 7,500 villages were declared scarcity-affected.

Kadam said if the situation does not improve in the next two months, one third of Maharashtra may face drought-like conditions.

The opposition accused the government of regional bias and neglecting backward areas like Vidarbha, Marathwada and North Maharashtra. "Was the drought only in Western Maharashtra (a relatively developed region)? Why no fodder camps were set up in other regions?," Leader of the Opposition Eknath Khadse said.

To which, the Minister said there was no such demand from other districts.