Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed the District Collectors to immediately start works under the Employment Guarantee Scheme (EGS) in the drought-affected areas, and accord sanction to such works within three days.
Mr. Fadnavis told the officials that the model code of conduct (MCC) was not applicable to drought-relief work as the Election Commission has given permission to it. “Therefore, no such works should be kept pending under the pretext of MCC,” he said.
The CM gave the instructions during a dialogue with Collectors and sarpanchs (village heads) from variousparts of the State using audio bridge technology for mobile phone from his official residence Varsha on Friday.
“Don’t keep pending the proposals for starting works under EGS. Start the works by according immediate sanction to them,” he told the Collectors, also asking them to submit the compliance report of these works. He asked the sarpanchs to conduct maximum water conservation works in their villages.
Tehsildars should tally the demand for tankers in accordance with the population of the village and animal population of 2018, and see that water is supplied accordingly, Mr. Fadnavis said. He also asked them to immediately approve the work of desilting tanks and ponds under the ‘Gaalmukta Dharan- Gaalyukta Shivar’ (silt-free dams and silt-filled farms) scheme.
Mr. Fadanavis emphasised the need for undertaking water conservation works, and directed the officials to open fodder camps for cattle urgently on demand by the public.
During the interaction, several sarpanchs brought to the CM’s notice various problems like shortage of water and fodder. Taking cognisance of their complaints, Mr. Fadnavis instructed the Collectors and other officials to take corrective measures.