Relief fund may be used to tackle drought-like situation: CM

Funds from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund may be utilised for emergency measures to tackle the drought-like situation due to the scanty rainfall in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said here today.
Addressing a meeting of divisional commissioners of Pune, Nashik and Aurangabad and collectors of 20 districts falling in these areas, through video conferencing, Chavan who took stock of the situation in view of the poor rainfall this month, said that if collectors submit proposals for emergency funds, provision would be made from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.
He also issued instructions to extend the time limit of spending up to Rs 2 crore, from the existing time limit of June 30. Chavan also directed zonal commissioners and district collectors to ensure that the drinking water supply must be the priority for using existing water resources.

Chavan discussed the possibility of drought and water scarcity in the state with collectors and divisional commissioners and discuss remedies.
The Chief Minister told collectors that each district would be given funds for water supply schemes and construction of cement check dams for which proposals would have to be submitted to the Chief Secretary.
He said that dam water should not be released without permission from district collectors.
Chavan said that due to lack of rains, re-sowing operations would have to be started and water supply through tankers would also have to be started.
Since there could be a shortage of fodder, he asked district collectors to prepare an action plan to tackle the situation with details on what they would need to start new schemes.