‘Contingency plan ready for 31 drought-hit taluks’

The state government has declared 123 taluks in the state to be drought affected. In Pune division,Pune,Solapur,Satara and Sangli districts are the worst hit.

“Water contingency plan will be chalked out for fodder,standing crops and drinking purpose. Collectors and commissioners will be given the charge to distribute it accordingly,” Deshmukh said,adding that preparations are being made to start fodder camps.

“The job to set up fodder camps will be given to any good cooperative organisation with a clean record,’’ he added.

Around 80,000 hectares have been earmarked for these fodder camps.

The state has sought financial aid of Rs 2,210 crore to carry out irrigation projects which needs to be taken up on a priority basis to tackle the drought situation next year. The Chief Minister had made a three-hour long presentation regarding the drought situation in the state at the Prime Minister’s Office. The state’s relief and rehabilitation department has identified the taluks based on the norms for the Drought Prone Area Programme.

“The situation has been assessed to be very serious in these areas. The situation may worsen towards October-November,’’ said Deshmukh.

With most villages in these areas,especially in Satara,Solapur and Sangli belts,being severely affected,the district administration has increased water tanker supply to these villages.

The divisional commissioner said he has asked his officials to find more tanker-filling points to meet the demand.

MET paints a grim forecast