Pune, Nov 1 (PTI) NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday said he will visit drought-affected areas in Solapur and Dharashiv districts in Maharashtra over the next two days to assess the situation and ensure necessary assistance reaches farmers and villagers.
The immediate priorities in the drought-hit regions are drinking water and fodder, and there is need for coordinated efforts to address the crisis, he told reporters in Baramati here.
“I will visit drought-affected areas in Pandharpur taluka. The following day, I will visit Solapur and Bhum-Paranda in Dharashiv district. The MLAs from these areas will accompany me and brief me about the ground situation. There is an urgent need for water and fodder,” he said.
Citing the scale of the water crisis in Solapur district, Pawar said 135 water tankers were supplying water to 139 villages, while the Madha assembly constituency alone required 110 tankers.
“These figures are from just one district. Over the next couple of days, I will cover the remaining affected villages and personally meet people to understand their requirements. I will ensure necessary arrangements are made to address their needs. I am confident the state government will extend assistance,” he said.
Asked about the BJP’s ‘Loktantra Bachao Padyatra’ in Pune and the political rhetoric surrounding it, Pawar said political differences should not be brought into the issue of drought relief.
“I have already said that this should not be viewed politically. Everyone should come together to help people. What I am talking about is a crisis. My experience tells me that we must focus on overcoming this situation rather than indulging in politics,” the former Union agriculture minister said.
On the financial assistance announced by the state government for farmers affected by the drought, Pawar said discussions had already been held with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union ministers.
“We have held a meeting with the CM and also with ministers in Delhi. I am confident some solution will emerge,” he said, indicating that further measures to support farmers were being discussed.
On the Opposition’s protest at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, Pawar said the Centre needs to take an immediate decision on the issue.
“The Union government needs to take an immediate decision regarding Gyanesh Kumar. Since no decision has been taken, Opposition parties will come together in Delhi today and tomorrow. Supriya Sule and other leaders from our party will participate. My focus at present is on water, fodder and drought relief,” he said.
On concerns raised by farmers over an artificial intelligence (AI) project at Ujani dam, Pawar said he would visit the area on Monday to understand these objections.
“AI has come and all the water has gone, this is what people are saying. Water must be used judiciously. I will visit the area tomorrow, understand why people are raising these concerns and examine the issue. If any corrective measures are required, they will be taken,” he said.
Referring to the growing water demand in Pune, Pawar said the increasing requirement must be addressed through careful management of available water resources.
“Water from Khadakwasla, Varasgaon and other dams must be used carefully. We have to manage the available stock from now until almost June next year. Politics should not be brought into this issue. The focus must be on conserving and managing water,” he said.
Pawar also said that the proposed visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Vidya Pratishthan in Baramati was yet to be finalised.
“He has said he will come, but the date has not been confirmed yet,” Pawar said.
He added that the Pawar family would not celebrate Diwali in the usual manner this year, as its focus would remain on drought relief.
“There will be no Diwali celebrations at our place this year. We will concentrate on drought mitigation,” he said. PTI COR SPK BNM
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