Gogawale eats with farmers on Mahad field bund, reviews drought and Vanrai check dams

With drought-like conditions persisting in the state, Raigad Guardian Minister Bharatshet Gogawale visited Mahad taluka on Friday to assure farmers of relief. He did not limit himself to an official review of water conservation work, but walked the field bunds and inspected paddy fields directly.

Gogawale sat on the ground with farmers and ate bhakri and besan curry with them, listening to their difficulties. "I will not let the Diwali of any farmer in Maharashtra turn dark," he said firmly. The assurance gave the farmers some comfort.

Inspired by Gogawale, a Vanrai check dam campaign is under way in Mahad taluka on the principle of "stop the water, let it sink into the ground". Villagers are responding well, and water conservation through voluntary labour (shramdan) is turning into a people's movement. Under this campaign, the Guardian Minister inspected the Vanrai dams at Mohotre, Dahivad and Vadavli along with District Collector Kishan Jawale and Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Neha Bhosale. Sub-Divisional Officer Popat Omase and Tahsildar Mahesh Shitole were among the officers present.

A dam on the Gandhari river within the limits of Mohodre village drew particular attention. The dam has caused water to collect in the river over about two kilometres. The Guardian Minister said that if the height of the dam were raised by another foot and the spillway properly arranged, a good amount of water could remain even in April and May.

The Collector has instructed the department concerned to make the dam a firm, permanent structure. This will also help stop saline water rising up the river at high tide. The dam was built through voluntary labour by villagers on the initiative of Panchayat Samiti Deputy Chairman Suresh Mahadik, and Gogawale praised it specially. A dam on the Kal river near Dahivad village, close to the Mahad industrial area, was also inspected.

During the visit it was stated that about 30 to 40 Vanrai dams have so far been built in Mahad taluka, while the total in the Mahad-Poladpur area is 87. Work to hold rainwater by deepening a stream has also begun. To ease water scarcity in the coming summer, emphasis is being laid on protecting existing water sources and expanding water conservation work with people's participation.

Speaking warmly with the farmers as he ate bhakri and besan curry, Gogawale said his role was to share in a farmer's joys and sorrows and stand firmly by him in times of trouble. He also made clear that the government is fully committed to providing work to villagers through the Employment Guarantee Scheme (Rojgar Hami Yojana).