NCP (SP) state president Shashikant Shinde stated that the mismanagement of available water stock has escalated into a major crisis across several districts
Pune :The opposition has alleged that cabinet ministers are unlawfully influencing water distribution decisions without adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs) despite an announcement by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis that the state’s remaining water stock will be strictly reserved for drinking purposes until Aug next year due to severe drought conditions.
we have observed that multiple district committees are completely flouting established SOPs during water allocation,” Shinde said While the chief minister has set an Aug deadline to safeguard drinking water. In a crisis as devastating as a drought, such partisan practices must stop immediately,” Shinde said, demanding an immediate intervention from the chief minister. NCP (SP) state president Shashikant Shinde stated that the mismanagement of available water stock has escalated into a major crisis across several districts. “District-level committees are legally mandated to make equitable decisions on water distribution based on actual reservoir storage. “These ministers are manipulating decisions on water utilisation to deliberately divert higher volumes of supply to their own political constituencies. Barring a few pockets, Maharashtra failed to receive adequate rainfall even during the monsoon withdrawal phase, forcing the state administration to prioritise dam storage exclusively for drinking needs. However, the opposition has sharply criticised the state govt for its delayed response to the unfolding catastrophe. The protesting farmers alleged that upstream authorities in Satara district are refusing to release adequate water into the Krishna river, leaving the riverbed virtually dry as it flows through Sangli. Kadam has formally petitioned the chief minister to intervene and direct district committees to ensure a fair and balanced allocation of water across neighboring districts.
Adding to the govt’s mounting challenges, Congress MLA Vishwajeet Kadam spearheaded a massive farmers’ agitation in Sangli on Monday.