State approves EGS works in drought-affected Dhule

Mumbai: The state has approved EGS works including water and soil conservation and construction of the walls of schools under the MNREGA scheme in Dhule district which is facing acute drought.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday appealed to sarpanchas to initiate the works in order to create employment in these villages. He directed the district administration to sanction the works within three days of the application being moved for MNREGA before the district collector. For four consecutive days, Mr Fadnavis held a meeting to review the drought situation in Jalgaon, Buldhana and Dhule districts. He has taken stock of the drought situation in 11 districts so far.

Mr Fadnavis had held a discussion with 45 sarpanchas of Dhule district through the ‘Audio Bridge’ system about measures to mitigate and cope with the drought situation. The district administration officials too participated in the discussion.

Mr Fadnavis said that in the drought-affected regions of the state, the administration should take immediate action on any proposal pertaining to the water scarcity situation.

The water storage of the district should be used first for drinking water. If anyone was using the water illegally, officers should take action against them, Mr Fadnavis instructed. Funds needed for drinking water had to increase and so also the number of borewells. CM also dire-cted that water conservation work be started and fodder camps for cattle within 48 hours.

Earlier the state had directed the district collectors to instruct the banks not to deduct loan installments from the subsidy that the farmers are getting.