Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a temporary relaxation of the ban on digging and deepening borewells till December 15. The permission will be granted only in cases where it is necessary to protect trees and will not amount to a blanket relaxation. Fadnavis made the announcement during an interaction with sarpanchs and representatives of local self-government bodies at Lohari Savanga in Narkhed tehsil on Sunday. The Chief Minister celebrated Diwali at the village on Saturday. He said farmers would have to obtain prior permission for digging new borewells or deepening existing ones. He also urged citizens to conserve water and undertake groundwater recharge measures. Fadnavis accorded priority to the Gaalmukt Dharan and Yukt Shivar scheme. He said villages coming forward to resolve drinking water and fodder crisis would receive full Government support. He directed the officials concerned to prioritise completion of pending Atal Bhujal Yojana works and provide funds to repair defective structures. On incomplete Jal Jeevan Mission projects, he said works that had crossed 75% completion would be provided funds on priority for early completion, while others get in phases. Several representatives raised concerns over the absence of veterinary dispensaries despite substantial livestock populations in their villages. Fadnavis directed the Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer to assess the requirement and take an early decision. He also assured that wire-fencing scheme to protect crops from wild animals would be expanded, with priority to farms adjoining forest areas. Bhishnur sarpanch Lata Bagde raised concerns over drinking water, groundwater recharge shafts and the quality of village-level development works. Fadnavis assured her that the issues would be addressed and directed that her written representation be acknowledged. Individuals posing as journalists and demanding money from women sarpanchs through intimidation would face imprisonment, he warned and directed police to take prompt action.