Ajit Pawar: Water share for irrigation,drinking by Aug-end

He said if Khadakwasla is not filled this year,water sources in the city belonging to the Peshwa era will have to be put to use.

The dams supplying water to the city are filled 60 per cent which is seven per cent lower than last year. “Some areas in the city get 250- 300 litres per head,while in other areas,it is 25 litres. It has been observed that supplying water on alternate days results in people storing water which in turn results in wastage,we are therefore considering the option of supplying water once a day,” he added.

Pointing out faults in supply from Khadakwasla Dam,Pawar said,“The pipeline that supplies water to the city is faulty as it carries water only when the dam is full. This,along with water leakage and wastage,are the challenges that need to be addressed.”

Touching the issue of swine flu,lack of availability of vaccine and voluntary vaccination drives taken up by private societies and NGOs,Pawar said,“Doctors who are taking undue advantage of the situation and making profits would be punished. There are a number of opinions about mass vaccination on the lines of polio vaccination drives by the government,however,taking into consideration the fact that there could be side effects,mass vaccination programme has not been undertaken by the government.”

Taking a note of the pressure on Sassoon hospital due to the an increase in the swine flu cases,Pawar said,“A decision has been taken to make 15 ventilators available using MLA-LAD funds. Meanwhile,the list of hospitals that avail of vaccines free of cost would be issued by Saturday.”

‘I don’t mind handling complaints from Nanded’

When a group of Shiv Sena activists met Chief Minister Ashok Chavan regarding price rise and development and transfer related issues in case of the 34-acre City Centre project in Pimpri-Chhichwad,Chavan had promised them he would look into the matter.

On being questioned about the same,Ajit Pawar,considered dominant in Pimpri Chinchwad,said,“If there is anything wrong,there is nothing wrong in the CM looking into the matter.”

Saying that he does not get any complaints from Nanded,which is Chavan’s constituency,he added,in an apparent dig at the CM,“If I get complaints from Nanded,I will also look into it.”