State seeks water from Karnataka

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has said talks are on with the Karnataka government to get water from the Almatti dam to tackle the worsening drought situation in the state.

“The drought situation in the state is worse than what was experienced in 1972. The districts,especially along the Maharashtra-Karnataka border,are facing acute water shortage,” Chavan told reporters here on Saturday night.

“Therefore,talks are being held with the Karnataka government to get water from the Almatti dam. Our Water Supply Minister (Laxmanrao Dhobale) has already had a first round of discussions with them. Another meeting will be held on March 4 in Pune on the issue,” he said. Chavan accused Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray of “politicising” the drought issue in the state “to gain political mileage”.