Opposition slams CM Devendra Fadnavis, says Jalyukta Shivar scheme 'exposed'

Water scarcity in Maharashtra is adding to the already rising summer woes. This year, the state government has engaged 611 tankers to supply water to 601 villages; last year 373 tankers were engaged to supply water to 373 villages.

The Opposition took a dig at the government saying the data has exposed the tall claims made by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis about his pet project, Jalyukta Shivar (watershed management scheme). "This is April and in May, we may see the highest numbers of tankers supplying water across the state," said Nawab Malik, spokesperson of NCP.

According to data, this year 37 tankers are supplying water per day in 42 villages falling under

Konkan division, while in 2017 only 38 tankers were engaged for 41 villages. In Nasik division this year, 116 tankers have been engaged at 69 villages per day as against 25 tankers for 32 villages last year. Pune division has had three tankers for four villages this year, while 109 tankers were provided for 104 villages last year.

In Aurangabad division, 297 villages saw a supply from 273 tankers against 193 tankers for 171 villages in 2017. In Amravati division, 128 tankers supplied water to 140 villages a day this year, while a mere two tankers were provided for two villages last year. Interestingly, in Nagpur division this year, no water tankers have been supplied with two villages facing water scarcity, however, last year, six tankers were supplied to seven villages.

As per government record, this year 16 districts have been declared drought-prone against 19 districts last year. "There is huge corruption in the CM Devendra Fadnavis's pet project — Jalyukta Shivar (watershed management scheme). This scheme has been made just to pocket huge chunk of money. Most of the work of this scheme has been shown on papers only(sic). Government fund has been spent but no work has been done on the ground. Corruption cases across the state have also been reported in this scheme but chief minister tried to ignore it. We strongly demand that all Jalyukta Shivar project work has to be probed by experts. After all, this is the public and honest tax payers money. It has to be utilised properly," Malik said.

Sachin Sawant, Maharashtra Congress party spokesperson, said CM Fadnavis was claiming and had announced that they will make Maharashtra tanker-free. "However, the reality is different. In fact, tanker numbers are increasing day by day. This government is only good in every movement and publicity."