Congress urges Maharashtra government to focus on drought in state

Mumbai: Maharashtra Congress on Wednesday demanded the state government should focus on the drought which is badly affecting the state as the Lok Sabha elections in the state are over now. The party also demanded to begin the fodder camps for the cattle.

Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said that the norms of model code of conduct (MCC) should be relaxed and the government should take a decision to provide drinking waters to villagers, who have been affected by the drought.

According to the state irrigation department, 24.03 percent water has been left in the dams of all six divisions of the state. “Marathwada region, which has eight districts, has only 9.73 percent water,” an official said.     

Mr. Patole claimed that there is hardly any water left in the dams, and thousands of villages and hamlets do not have drinking water. “We request the government to provide drinking water to the drought affected villages and fodder should be made available for the animals as there is no fodder for them,” he said. 

The Congress leader said that many towns and villages are getting water once every 10 to 12 days. He said that 23 districts of the state are experiencing severe water shortage and the situation in Marathwada is the worst. Due to the non-availability of fodder, the milk producer is facing a big crisis. 

Patole also pointed out that they had reminded the BJP led government four months ago about the issue of drought and asked to take appropriate measures. However, the government did not pay attention. “Due to the Lok Sabha elections, the government and the administration remained busy with the election work. Now that the elections are over, the state government should immediately pay attention to the crisis,” he said.