PUNE, April 26: The inaugural function of the Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP)'s World-Bank aided water supply scheme for Warje Malwadi was today marred by a verbal discord between leaders of the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance and the Congress.Apparently both the factions were staking credit for early completion of the scheme "due to their efforts." However the irony is that even after the inauguration, the water supply scheme will not be totally functional for next few days. It is likely that water supply would be provided only after May 5, official sources admitted.State Minister for Rural Welfare and Water Supply Anna Dange inaugurated the scheme, but the organisers had to bear the brunt of the criticism for allegedly failing to invite the local leaders. Water seeped through one of the tanks after the inauguration which also created confusion.The Minister, however, tried to pacify the workers of the Congress maintaining that the scheme has been completed with the initiative of local villagers and the Government and that no one should make a political issue of it. He thanked everyone for their cooperation.Earlier, the compere was in for criticism from local Congress leader Rambhau Barate ``as he had invited only the saffron alliance speakers.'' Barate took hold of the mike and urged the organisers not to politicise the issue. He alleged that the invitations for the inaugural function were not sent in time.Meanwhile, the authorities clarified that there was no damage to any of the water reservoirs. The outer plaster of one of the reservoirs had been ``deliberately removed'' and this appeared like a damage. It was the work of some ``vested interests'' who wished that the inaugural function did not take place, an official said. There was no move to lodge any police complaint in this regard, he clarified.However, even after the inauguration of the scheme, residents in Warje Malwadi will have to wait for another couple of weeks before the scheme becomes fully operational. Around 8 MLD (million liters of water) will be provided through the scheme.Speaking on the occasion, Dange said that the State Government proposes to bring another 90 lakh hectares of land under irrigation. The Government had given priority to implement water supply schemes and provide water to over twenty thousand small villages in the state. The Government has also thereby resolved to totally discontinue water tankers by May next year. Executive chairman of the State planning commission Prakash Jawdekar, former MLA Anna Joshi, and MLA Kumar Gosavi were present on the occasion.The Government has made a provision of Rs 8000 crore in the State's five-year plan for water supply schemes, Javdekar said.Later, at an official meeting held at the council hall, Dange directed the officials to expedite the works of all the water supply schemes in the district.
