Guardian Minister Indranil Naik orders eight-month water plan for Gondia amid drought fears

Gondia, Oct 22: Taking into account Super El Nino and the possibility of drought, Guardian Minister Indranil Naik directed officials to draw up a strict water plan for the next eight months so that residents of the district get enough water for drinking and for farming in the rabi season.

A review meeting to discuss scarcity-relief measures and their effective implementation was held today at the District Planning Bhavan under Naik's chairmanship. Zilla Parishad president Laykram Bhendarkar, MP Rajendra Jain, MLAs Rajkumar Badole, Vinod Agrawal and Vijay Rahangdale, Collector Mandar Patki, Chief Executive Officer Janit Chandra Dontula, Superintendent of Police Gorakh Bhamre, Deputy Conservator of Forests Pawankumar Jong and officials of the departments concerned were present.

Considering groundwater levels, Naik clearly instructed that no new borewells be permitted. He said available water must be used properly and appealed to citizens to use water sparingly. To tackle the shortage, officials were asked to take up deepening of streams and ponds and water conservation works. He also said that, before starting these works, they should consult the elected representatives concerned and seek their cooperation.

The meeting reviewed in detail the water scarcity measures in rural areas, urban areas and nagar panchayat areas. Officials were told to give drinking water the highest priority and plan so that water remains available for the next eight months. The guardian minister took stock of all major and medium projects in the district, their current water storage and the water reserved. Directions were also given to plan for the water needed for the rabi season. Storage and reserved water in the Itiadoh project, the Dhapewada lift irrigation project, the projects under the Gondia Irrigation Division and the Katangi medium project were discussed in detail. The guardian minister also gave instructions to set aside the water needed for the next eight months.

Water flowed out after the embankment of the Bodalkasa dam breached, and the level in the dam has dropped. There was no loss of life or financial loss. Even so, in view of the coming drought, the guardian minister said the available water should be planned properly and prompt action taken to complete the necessary work on the dam.

The agencies concerned were directed to conduct proper panchnamas if crops have been damaged by water scarcity and pest diseases. Elected representatives presented the likely water shortage situation in their constituencies at the meeting. They pointed out that if severe scarcity develops later, farmers and citizens could be affected, so effective planning is needed from now.

On fodder, Collector Mandar Patki said there is currently no fodder shortage in the district and no need to start a fodder camp. He said the agencies concerned have been instructed that the Collector's permission is required to take fodder out of the district. An additional fund of Rs 30 lakh has been sought for giving fodder seeds to farmers so that fodder production rises in the rabi season. Distribution of fodder seeds worth Rs 50 lakh is proposed from the district annual plan. Under the Vidarbha-Marathwada Dairy Development Project, fodder seeds worth Rs 6.51 lakh have been distributed and a further Rs 2.63 lakh worth will be distributed. Measures will also be taken to make fodder available in forest areas to citizens. Depending on the situation, instructions were also given to distribute seeds of fodder crops such as jowar, bajra and maize, which grow quickly with little water.

Elected representatives suggested that while checking groundwater levels, wells in areas where heavy extraction has taken place should also be checked. Levels are currently checked in certain wells that are not used for farming or other purposes. So, to get a true picture, wells in use should also be inspected, the meeting was told.

The meeting was told that 172 works have been carried out in the district under the Jal Jeevan Mission. These works should be physically verified and a report prepared on how many are complete, how many are pending and their present status. The Chief Executive Officer was directed to submit it.

Paddy procurement centres were raised at the meeting. The district supply officer said the centres opened today. Finally, in view of the possible drought, Guardian Minister Indranil Naik directed all departments to complete in time the measures needed for water, fodder, farming and citizens' basic needs, and to work in coordination so that no scarcity arises.