Our Correspondent / Mumbai

The Maharashtra government has pressed as many as 2636 tankers for supplying drinking water to drought-hit rural areas of the state.

Addressing media persons here, state Revenue and PWD Minister Chandrakant Patil listed measures being taken by the government in drought mitigation. After holding a review meeting with the concerned departments, Patil told reporters that some 2,600 tankers are supplying drinking water to villages and hamlets, which are already declared as drought-hit areas.

The government had declared drought in 151 talukas in 26 of total 36 districts of the state in October last year. As per a government order, 112 talukas are facing severe drought with 39 talukas a moderate drought.

The minister said the capacity of fodder camps for admission of cattle has been increased to 3000 from 500. He said the government has also decided to bear additional charges of medication for cattle admitted in the fodder camps, apart from current amount of Rs 70 per animal.

He said extra care has been taken to avoid any misuse of government funds. He added that so far, 147 crore rupees have been spent for supplying water through tankers.

Patil said instructions have been issued to stop recovery of the loan from the farmers, mainly hailing from the drought-hit talukas. He said the crop loss compensation assistance in Maharashtra is estimated to be 5000 crore rupees of which 2700 crore rupees had been disbursed among farmers.