“Scanty rainfall this monsoon will have an impact on all during summer next year. Maharashtra Government is studying the options to ensure that drought condition do not affect the populace at large,” said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday. Outlining the strategy of the State Government to tackle the natural calamity, he pointed out that the main worry will be shortage of water. “As per the predictions, the current stock of water in dams across Maharashtra would be sufficient till February. So, from March to May will be the real test for all. Already, conservation measures are put in place by the Government. Efforts are on to minimise the disruption as economy activity must not suffer,” he asserted.

 

The Chief Minister was interacting with media at ‘Ramgiri’. He was on a day long tour of the second capital of the State. On drought relief package, the Chief Minister said, “The main worry at this point of time is harsh summer months. More so, the Government is aware of hardships of ryots and trying to keep their morale high through short term cash benefit and some long term approaches.” Fadnavis said, he himself will visit camp at a village and interact with the villagers, including farmers, during Diwali to keep their spirits high. Similarly, all the Ministers have been instructed to celebrate Diwali with farmers and spread the message that State is with them, he added. The Chief Minister while replying to a query on lack of irrigation facilities in Yavatmal, said, the State Government is confident that all the sanctioned schemes in the district would be completed on time. Similarly, the Wainganga-Nalganga river sharing scheme would also benefit the farmers in the district.

 

He was pointed out that sorry state of farmers in tribal dominated district who despite having fertile farm land are in distress due to lack of irrigation capacity. Fadnavis defended the acquisition of farm land in Gadchiroli district saying without the indsutrialisation it would be impossible for the people to fulfill their obligation in future. Just farming would not able to sustain the populace and there is need for industries as they also can create jobs for youths, he added. Asked about the Government’s decision to nominate four Directors on Gokul, the Chief Minister justified the same saying due to split verdict the election could have been invalidated if at next meet of Board the quorum was not complete.

 

There was no aim to politicise the co-operative election, Fadnavis quipped and added, Gokul was not a political issue referring to comment by Rahul Gandhi. On success of curbing Naxalism, he said, Naxal activities are more or less eradicated from Gadchiroli, the nation still faces threats from host of factors who are determined to undermine the constitution. The anarchists forces are still out there and they are determined to harm the nation’s interest, he added. Maharashtra Minister of State Ashish Jaiswal, MLA Krishna Khopde, MLC Parinay Fuke, Dayashankar Tiwari, President, BJP, Nagpur City unit, and others also were present at the media interaction.