Mumbai, May 10: Repair of water supply schemes in drought affected areas, approving tankers, starting fodder camps, and EGS works should not be stalled citing the alibi of Model Code of Conduct. There will be absolutely no difficulty in undertaking these works and therefore, the administration should not stall these works on the pretext of MCC. They should be given immediate sanction and works be started at the earliest, said Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis here today.He said that the administration will take immediate cognizance of complaints and suggestions regarding drought relief works in Usmanabad district.
The Chief Minister was talking to sarpanchs, gram sevaks, collector, Group Development Officers of Usmanabad district from his official residence ‘Varsha’ through the audio bridge. People from different villages of various talukas conveyed their complaints and suggestions regarding tanker supply, fodder camps, EGS works etc. to the Chief Minister directly. The CM directed the collector, tahsildar and Group Development Officers to take cognizance of these complaints and take immediate action and file the report on them.
Talking to sarpanchs the Chief Minister said that the state government has taken the note of drought condition in Usmanabad district and launched the relief measures with immediate effect. This dialogue with sarpanchs is being conducted to know about implementation of these measures, whether there is a need for some modifications, etc. He said that any complaint regarding drought relief measures will be resolved within 48 hours and policy decisions will be taken on long term measures, he added.
139 tankers are operating in Usmanabad district. Out of them maximum 34 are supplying water in Bhum taluka while just one tanker is employed in Lohara taluka. 30 ‘vindhan’ wells, one temporary tap water supply scheme and 742 wells are acquired in the district for water supply. The bills for wells acquisitioned will be paid as per the volume of water tanker.
Rs 436.41 lakh is given against the payment of pending bill amount of water supply schemes in the district. 85 government fodder camps are launched in the district. They have 55247 big and 6558 small animals totaling to 61805. The per day grant for big animals @ Rs 90/- and for small animals @ Rs 45 is given. The government is considering enhancing this grant. The state government is giving more funds for fodder camps than the center’s parameters, he said.
Fadanvis further said that 7 talukas of the district are declared drought-hit. Rs 236.17 crore drought relief fund is deposited in the bank accounts of379,147 farmers living in 640 villages. Out of the 10 lakh 40 thousand 49 farmers registered under crop insurance scheme, 475,082 farmers were given compensation of Rs 168.96 crore. Under the PM Kisan Sanman Yojana out of the 1.71 lakh registered farmers 60000 are given the first instalment of Rs11.98 crore and process to make payment to remaining farmers is underway.
703 EGS works are going on with 7359 laborers working on them. 10173 works in the district are on shelf and more works can be started as per the need and demand and the administration is directed accordingly, he added.
CM takes cognizance of complaint from Sarpanch, directs administration to take action
Taking cognizance of a complaint filed by a sarpanch about the closed water supply scheme the Chief Minister said that special provision for repair of water supply schemes has been made and directed the administration to immediately repair the water supply scheme in the village of Smt Halgude.
Acting on the complaint of sarpanch Ashok Kate and others from Usmanabad Taluka, the CM also directed the administration to start EGS works if demanded by the people. Water supply should be made considering the 2018 population figures and animal population.
Many sarpanchs complained about pending proposals of tankers and fodder camps. The Chief Minister directed the collector, ZP CEO and Tahsildars to approve these proposals and submit the report thereof.The administration has taken the note of complaints received through this audio dialogue and action will be taken on them. Similarly, directives are issued to take up corrective measures on complaints received through WhatsApp, Chief Minister Fadanvis said.
