Nashik:
The announcement by Maharashtra Water Resources Minister Sunil Tatkare on releasing water to Marathwada from dams in Nashik district has met with criticism not only from Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) but also from the minister's own party Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
Mr Tatkare raised hackles of MNS, which controls Nashik Municipal Corporation, and also of those NCP leaders, considered close to PWD Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, over his recent announcement in Aurangabad promising release of water in Jayakwadi dam in parched Marathwada region.
"We will not let even a single drop of water (released) from dams the district to Jayakwadi," said NCP MLC Jayant Jadhav.
Another NCP leader said that water from dams in Nashik district will not be allowed to be "diverted" to Jayakwadi.
MNS MLA Uttamrao Dhikle said that any attempt to this effect will be meted with strong protests. "Monsoon in Marathwada is satisfactory and there's enough stock in Jayakwadi dam. Nashik has two major industrial belts and the talk of release of water is unjustified," he said.
An all-party meeting has been convened in Nashik on November 2 to discuss the issue, the MLA said.
Major dams like Gangapur and Darna are presently filled up to 99 per cent and there is also ample water stock in other dams in the district.