Oppostions takes on Maharashtra govt over drought

Maharashtra government today drew flak from opposition BJP and Shiv Sena over tackling of the drought situation and the combine asking it to take measures to prevent migration of people from the parched regions to other parts of the state.
The Leader of Opposition Eknath Khadse, while initiating the two-day debate in the Lower House, charged the Congress-led Democratic Front government of discriminating among different regions and neglecting Vidarbha and North Maharashtra while doling out the relief measures.
"Instead of short term measures like setting up cattle and fodder camps and starting tanker services in drought-hit areas, the need of the hour is to ensure proper management and planning water distribution", Khadse said.

Demanding waiver of fees of students hailing from drought-hit areas, Khadse said, "migration of people from drought-affected areas in search of livelihood to other regions of the state be stopped".
Highlighting the losses caused to banana, grapes and pomegranate due to hailstorm in North Maharashtra, Khadse sought adequate compensation for farmers.
"Concession should be given in electricity bills, loan recovery be halted and load-shedding in the drought-hit areas be suspended", he said, adding that concessions should also be given for regional water supply schemes.

Khadse said it was evident from the relief fund received that the state government did not enjoy confidence of Central government. "We demanded Rs 2200 crore and got only about Rs 700 crore," he added.

Subhash Desai of Shiv Sena alleged that corruption crept in even in the distribution of funds sanctioned under the Prime Minister's financial package and guilty officers are enjoying impunity.
"Against Rs 70,000 crore spent on irrigation in the state in last ten years, the irrigation capacity has increased by mere 0.1 per cent," Desai said.
Shashikant Shinde of ruling NCP demanded a separate package for irrigation projects as a permanent solution for situation arising out of scarcity.