Nagpur: Maharashtra govt will conduct fresh surveys in 36 additional talukas amid drought concerns, with 20% ground-truthing planned in 18 talukas where complaints were received over the application of drought assessment criteria.
He said reports had also been sought on another 18 talukas, after which a decision on field verification will be taken. On the leasing of Maharashtra State Farming Corporation land in Ahilyanagar district for solar power and other projects, Bawankule said about 1,500 acres had been leased to Nibe Group, another 1,500 acres to Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and around 1,200 acres to Vishvaraj Company. He said 2,500 acres had been reserved for farmers and that govt was examining whether land could be returned to its original farmer-owners. “Nearly 35% of the city’s water was not being audited, contributing to wastage. Repairing more than 6,000 small check dams in Nagpur district could improve water storage, with similar conservation efforts planned across Maharashtra,” he said.
He also announced a door-to-door e-KYC drive for farmers whose crop loan waiver applications had been approved but verification was pending.
Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule told media here that a govt resolution had been issued with chief minister Devendra Fadnavis . Bawankule said the state had placed the drought-related criteria and the ground situation before the central govt officials. “The state would receive substantial central assistance through the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Fadnavis and Union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan,” he said. He said treated water should be used for construction and the administration has halted cement road works.
Representations and recommendations from elected representatives who had visited farms had also been considered. Village-wise lists would be prepared, and talathis and gram sevaks would visit eligible farmers to complete their e-KYC and help them access the benefits. The use and leasing of the corporation’s land were governed by govt rules, he added. Minister warns of action against misuse of drinking water in Nagpur Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has urged Nagpur residents to conserve drinking water amid drought conditions, warning that criminal cases would be filed against those found using potable water unnecessarily for construction and other purposes. technical problems could cause local shortages Although supplies were adequate.