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5,000 villages in Maharashtra to be made drought-free every year

TNN | Dec 28, 2014, 11.47 PM IST

PUNE: The state government has rolled out 'Scarcity-free Maharashtra, 2019', a programme under which 5,000 villages will be made drought-free every year by implementing water conservation projects at the local level, rural development minister Pankaja Munde said here on Sunday.

Munde was speaking at a press conference before attending a divisional workshop on the implementation of the five-year programme.

"The government has decided to follow a decentralised approach regarding water conservation. 'Scarcity-free Maharashtra' is one such programme that aims at providing sustainable water sources to every village. We expect the corporate sector and local people to participate for effective implementation of the initiative," the minister said.

She said, "The government will conduct third-party assessment of works and ensure that construction of cement dams is completed within the stipulated period to avoid price escalation. Over 10,000 cement dams have been planned across the state to conserve rain water for longer periods."

Munde said that her department would submit a proposal to release funds for the programme to the finance department. Besides, the government also expects financial assistance from the Centre, she added.

Minister of state for water resources department Vijay Shivtare was also present.