Poll over, Maharashtra govt stares at drought in state

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde will seek assistance from NGOs to increase the water level and tables

With people facing a drought-like situation in Marathwada and elsewhere, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said that the administration will involve non-profit organisations to desilt water bodies in the affected areas. This will be in addition to the relief measures the government will be taking immediately, said Shinde. The chief minister was in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Thursday to review preparedness.

Since the model code of conduct is still in effect, the government cannot make decisions without the Election Commission's clearance. Since taking clearance every time will be time-consuming in a time of crisis, the state has requested the EC to relax the model code. The government is hopeful of getting it, because of precedents. The state faced a similar situation in 2019 during the general election and it was granted conditional relaxation. Government officials deputed for the counting of votes were not allowed to accompany ministers on the tour of the affected areas.

Govt needs EC relief

Before the elections, the government had declared 40 tehsils as affected. The scope was increased further ahead of the elections. But the situation has deteriorated in many other parts as the elections progressed. The model code puts restrictions on making announcements/decisions that can impact voters. The commission grants permission considering the urgency whenever the government approaches with a plea/proposal. Likewise, the Shinde government has written a letter to the Election Commission because the polling in the state is over. The ‘conditional' permission was expected to come by Thursday night or Friday. The relaxation will allow ministers to visit the affected areas to monitor relief measures.

NGOs to be involved

Shinde said he would ask NGOs like the Paani Foundation of Aamir Khan, Naam Foundation of Nana Patekar and Appasaheb Dharmadhikari Pratishthan to assist in efforts to increase the water level and tables. "We will desilt water bodies such as reservoirs and lakes to increase storage capacity," he said, adding that the use of drinking water for any other purpose would be regulated.

In Marathwada, scarcity-hit 1,250 villages are being provided water by 1,837 tankers. More tankers will be provided, if needed, Shinde said at a media conference. In addition, the survival of cattle is another concern. The government will set up fodder shelters where the cattle can stay with their caretakers till the situation improves.

1,837
No of tankers providing water to Marathwada villages