File Photo: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
With Maharashtra facing a drought-like situation, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will visit affected areas of the state including Marathwada, Ahmednagar and Solapur districts from September 1 to take stock of situation.
"Will tour Marathwada along with districts of Ahmednagar and Solapur from September one to review the drought situation," Mr Fadnavis said today.
The Chief Minister was speaking after inaugurating 'Jan Sampark Karyalay' (local office) of Minister of State for Home Ram Shinde in Ahmednagar.
Mr Fadnavis said this office will be a bridge between citizens and Chief Ministers office (CMO).
There is only 8 per cent water storage in reservoirs in Marathwada while the overall storage in the state is 48 per cent.
Opposition parties Congress and NCP took a jibe at the Chief Minister over his proposed visit.
Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said the state government has woken up late to address farmer's plight and issues in the drought-hit areas.
"Better late than never.... Congress has been trying to bring problems of farmers to attention of the government. But the Fadnavis-led regime had turned a blind eye to the sufferings of farmers hit by poor rains for last three to four years," he said.
Meanwhile, NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik alleged the government has never taken drought and water scarcity seriously.
"The planning to tackle the situation should have begun six to seven months in advance. The state is facing drought for the last couple of years, "he added.
Mr Malik also said the much-hyped 'Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan'(scheme) will work only where percolation of rain water in the ground is substantial.
"What about areas where rainfall is always scanty. There is no option to lift irrigation in these areas. There is large scale migration from the drought affected areas to cities and towns", he added.
'Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan' is a programme launched by the Maharashtra Government to make Maharashtra drought-free state within a period of five years.