Govt to reduce water supply to Baramati?

Mumbai: After the reverses in the recently held Lok Sabha polls, NCP chief Sharad Pawar is likely to suffer another jolt as the BJP-led state government is planning to reduce water supply for agriculture to his hometown, Baramati.

According to BJP sources, the water supplied to Baramati and Indapur tehsils in Pune district is in excess and it can be used to provide relief to drought-hit areas in neighbouring Satara district.

State water resources minister Girish Mahajan on Wednesday said the Neera left bank canal supplies water to Baramati and Indapur from the Bhatghar dam in Pune district. It seems Baramati and Indapur are getting more water than their requirement, the minister said implying that political influence wielded by Mr Pawar could be the reason behind ‘excess’ water supply to Baramati.

“If some of the water supplied to Baramati and Indapur tehsils is saved, it can be supplied to drought-hit areas of neighbouring Satara district. We cannot supply excess water to some areas and deprive others,” Mr Mahajan said.

Despite high hopes, the Sharad Pawar-led NCP managed to win only four seats in the recently held Lok Sabha polls in the state. Furthermore, Mr Pawar’s nephew Parth suffered a humiliating defeat in the Maval constituency.

Reacting on the water issue, Mr Pawar said that there shouldn’t be any politics on the issue of water supply.

“When the entire state is reeling under acute water shortage, there is a need to act understandingly. One should ensure that rift should not be created between regions in the state,” he added.

Indapur is a stronghold of Harshwardhan Patil of the Congress.

He said, “The government cannot point fingers at farmers from one region to cut the water supply of others. Whatever is the due share of Indapur, it should not be cut.”