Stating the state government will make amendments as and when the situation demands, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis assured that cotton and soybean producer farmers will be provided maximum finance. He also assured that fodder would be provided from Konkan region to Marathwada to save cattle.
Mr Fadnavis is on a tour of 29 talukas in the Beed, Osmanabad and Latur districts to review the drought situation, measures taken by the state and to assess the ground reality. Mr Fadnavis also visited Nilanga Taluka in Latur and river rejuvenation work of Lambota river and interacted with villagers from Lambota.
Later, in the evening, he held a review meeting at the Latur collector’s office where all collectors, tehsildars and other officials were present including all ministers and ministers of state except Pankaja Munde, who left for Delhi in the evening.
While addressing the media, Mr Fadnavis announced short-term and long-term schemes for Latur, the worst affected city in Marathwada where people get drinking water once every three weeks. He said on temporary basis, Latur would be provided water from Bhandarwadi and Dongar dam and he sanctioned expenses of Rs 65 crore for the same.
In long-term schemes, he spoke about the proposed 173 km-long Ujani Dam, which will cost Rs 700 crore, as well as the 127 km-long Jaykaadi to Latur via Majalgaon dam, which will cost less than the Ujani dam.
He said providing water to Latur is a priority of the state and the government would finalise one of the feasible schemes.
The CM also assured that those farmers who don’t have water meters but still received electricity bills, will not need to pay for it.
While addressing villagers at Lombata, he said, “We are suffering because of nature as well as mistakes in the past. Water problem has never been addressed in planned way.”
