Maharashtra Scrambles To Secure Water, Fodder

With the state facing severe drought conditions, Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule made it clear to state authorities that deployment of private water tankers must be treated as a last resort to tackle the escalating water crisis. He directed state officials to first acquire local private wells and utilize existing regional water sources to supply water before requesting tankers.

A high-level meeting of the drought relief sub-committee was held under Bawankule’s chairmanship in Mumbai. The minister directed revival of defunct water schemes, under which a ‘One-Time Settlement’ scheme was announced to waive all penalties and interest.

According to state officials, over Rs 3,000 crores in unpaid electricity dues have halted various public water supply systems. While, the ‘One-Time Settlement’ scheme will waive all penalties and interest, muunicipalities and local bodies can clear the principal amount in instalments to restore electricity and restart tap water connections immediately. Defunct or 75 per cent completed water schemes have been asked to be made operational within 15 days.

“To prevent a fodder shortage in the state, District Collectors – in collaboration with the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Departments – must establish ‘Fodder Banks’ and formulate a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for fodder management,” said Bawankule.

Due to deficient rainfall, a new SOP mandates the conversion of forest lands, grasslands, and dam backwaters in areas like Vidarbha for immediate fodder cultivation. Fodder will be supplied from districts with a surplus to adjacent districts facing a shortage. Fodder seeds will be provided using a fund of Rs 62 crore and farmers with assured water sources will be encouraged to cultivate fodder. It was also announced during the meeting that the government would procure fodder at a guaranteed price.

State officials said, the third phase of drought relief operations is currently underway across 305 talukas in the state. So far, 70 per cent of the damage assessments regarding agricultural losses have been completed and the compilation of all data is expected to be finished by October 31. A comprehensive and clear picture of the drought situation in the state would emerge the following week.

In the meeting, it was also decided that ‘water bodies’ (storage ponds and water sources) should be created during road construction projects and that fallow land belonging to the Revenue Department should be allocated to women’s self-help groups for fodder cultivation.