On the last day of his Maharashtra visit, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi on Saturday visited drought-affected areas in Satara district and assured villagers that “both state and Centre will take adequate steps to provide relief.”
After his arrival in a helicopter, Mr Gandhi, along with Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and MPCC president Manikrao Thakre, headed straight to Zashi village. Facing hardships due to water scarcity, the villagers pleaded for relief. “Pani dya,” (give water) was the unanimous demand of the villagers.
Mr Gandhi later went to Bijwadi and Pangri villages. “I am here to hear the grievances of villagers. On behalf of the state, CM Prithviraj Chavan is taking all the efforts and the centre will too take measures for irrigation projects in Mann and Khatav areas,” said.
Mr Gandhi in Pangri village where he also visited a fodder depot that supplies fodder to cattle in the drought-hit area. Rahul took stock of the state government-sponsored employment guarantee schemes at Bijwadi.
In the two-and-a-half hours that Mr Gandhi spent, he also visited dry lakes and fields to take stock of the crops dying due to lack of water. The chief minister stated that the state has allocated Rs 50 crore per year for the completion of Jihe-Katapur lift irrigation project aimed at improving the water situation.
“The project will be completed with funds from both state and the centre,” assured Mr Chavan, adding, “as a temporary relief, measures such as water supply, fodder to cattle and sponsored employment guarantee schemes have been started.”
Back in 1987, Rajiv Gandhi had visited drought-affected regions in Maharashtra, while in 2003, Sonia Gandhi had also inspected drought relief measures in the area.