Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar told the Maharashtra government on Monday that failing to take steps for drought mitigation will lead to a "conflict". In a letter to Chief Minister Eknath Shinde pointing out the drought-like situation in Maharashtra, Pawar said the state administration had not taken note of water scarcity in large parts of the state. "I have always taken a cooperative stand with the state government when dealing with drought. However, it is becoming difficult for me to keep quiet looking at the plight of people in this situation. I appeal to the state government to take firm steps for drought mitigation at the earliest. In case of failure to do so on the government's part, I will be forced to have a conflict (with the government)," said Pawar in his letter. On May 24, Pawar held a press conference pointing out the alarming situation of water scarcity and drought in Maharashtra and asking the state government to take immediate action. In his letter to Shinde, the veteran politician pointed out that the chief minister's review meeting at Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in the Marathwada region was attended neither by elected representatives nor ministers. "I want to point out to you that the state government has not started the relief work with full force," he said. While the entire Marathwada is facing drought, Pawar pointed out that the situation has worsened in north Maharashtra, Vidarbha, and parts of west Maharashtra. "Last year, the state used only 1,100 water tankers. This time, the number has already reached 11,000, and tankers are not finding the water source. While the animals find water and fodder difficult, no efforts have been taken to safeguard horticulture. I must, unfortunately, mention that no new initiatives have been undertaken to ensure relief for the people suffering from drought," he said.
