Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule Asks Districts To Prioritise Water Conservation Over Cement Roads Amid Drought
Mumbai: Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday directed district planning committees to prioritise drinking water supply and water conservation works over cement roads and drainage projects while allocating funds, amid the drought-like situation in parts of Maharashtra. Bawankule held a meeting with Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and senior field-level officials at Mantralaya to…
Mumbai: Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has urged district planning committees to prioritize water conservation over road construction during the ongoing drought in the state. The meeting held at Mantralaya included senior officials from various departments and divisional commissioners. Bawankule suggested restoring 'Shivkalin Bandharas' and other water conservation projects instead of building cement roads.
The administration is directed to revive old water storage structures and focus on the Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS) and agriculture-based works for rural employment. Crop damage assessments are to be conducted by gram sevaks, agricultural assistants, and talathis, with physical farm visits and proper record-keeping. Bawankule emphasized the need for a standard operating procedure and approval of panchnamas before gram sabhas.
The minister also directed officials to prepare a plan for electricity distribution as demand rises due to the drought.
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