Washim collector orders VB-G RAM G works in every gram panchayat amid drought

Given the drought conditions in Washim district, Collector Yogesh Kumbhejkar has directed that villages be given as many employment opportunities as possible. For this, work under the VB-G RAM G scheme is to be speeded up in every gram panchayat.

The district drought monitoring committee met in the Katepurna hall of the Collector's office. Kumbhejkar chaired the meeting and made the direction there. Additional Collector Brijesh Patil and Resident Deputy Collector Vishwanath Ghuge were present. Officers of various departments sat in the hall, while sub-divisional officers, tahsildars and block development officers joined through video conferencing.

Kumbhejkar said that to create jobs in villages it was necessary to start as many works as possible under the scheme. The required procedures should be completed immediately, and action should be taken swiftly, recognising the seriousness of the drought. He clearly warned that there should be no place where works could not start because they were not on the shelf. Strict action would be taken if that happened.

The meeting also reviewed the work of departments including agriculture, forest, soil and water conservation, public works and water resources. Information was also taken on the availability of water in reservoirs, power supply and the public distribution system.

Monitoring teams have been formed to stop illegal drawing of water. The Collector said village-level water supply and sanitation committees, disaster volunteers (aapda mitra), water guards (jalsurakshak) and volunteers should be encouraged to monitor and patrol water sources regularly. According to him, large-scale awareness on saving water is also necessary.

He also stressed saving water at home. The education department in particular was told to appoint water ambassadors (jaldoot) through government and private schools. Students should be encouraged to carry out a water audit of availability and consumption of water in their homes, so that the message of saving water reaches far and wide.

Distribution of seed for fodder cultivation was asked to be completed at the earliest. Kumbhejkar also said that water conservation works and fodder cultivation should be promoted as much as possible.