Maharashtra sets November 20 deadline to clear water scarcity dues
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule directed officials to settle outstanding payments for the past two years to ensure emergency water access.
The Maharashtra government has established November 20 as the final date for settling unpaid bills related to water-scarcity works, according to Urban Acres. This follows warnings from farmers that they might decline the acquisition of their wells for emergency supplies if payments remain outstanding.
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, who leads the state cabinet subcommittee on drought mitigation, instructed officials to clear dues from the last two years. The subcommittee also approved measures to tackle shortages of fodder and drinking water, while calling for the acceleration of incomplete Jal Jeevan Mission projects.
A review indicated that approximately 75 per cent of Jal Jeevan Mission works are finished. Officials were told to speed up the remaining tasks and immediately provide at least Rs 500 crore for schemes with costs below Rs 5 crore each.
To manage resources, divisional commissioners and district collectors must coordinate moving fodder from surplus districts to those in need. Additionally, farmers on silt-deposited land are permitted to grow gram, maize, and jowar.
A high-level committee led by Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal will review a proposal to increase wages for workers under the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission. A government resolution regarding this is expected within 10 days.
Bawankule stated that officials must submit a report by November 15 to identify further talukas that may require drought-hit status. This assessment could result in 13 more talukas being added to the list.