Sharad Pawar to hold ‘drought talk’ with NCP netas

MUMBAI: A week after Lok Sabha polling in Maharashtra, NCP president Sharad Pawar summoned all party nominees, legislators and office-bearers on Saturday to review the drought situation, particularly in Marathwada and Vidarbha regions. Pawar was to leave for a tour of the drought affected areas immediately after polling, but postponed it following the death of NCP legislator Hanumant Dolas from Malshiras in Solapur district.NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik told TOI: “Pawar will tour all the drought affected villages and recommend measures to tackle it.”
Another NCP leader said though LS poll outcome is aw-aited, Pawar will take review of the political situation in view of the upcoming state assembly polls. “Pawar has ask-ed NCP leaders to study all the constituencies, possibility of NCP winning the seats, which constituencies can be exchan-ged with Congress and adjustments with smaller parties.”
A bureaucrat admitted that the situation in Vidarbha and Marathawada is grim as the water level in most dams has reduced drastically. “Last year, water stock in dams was 29.95%, now it is 18.51%... Last year, we had taken railways’ assistance to supply water to Latur and Parbhani districts...This year too, we will have to take its help..So far, we have declared drought in 28,524 villages and provided financial aid to 17,985 villages. Of Rs 4,412 crore received from the Centre, Rs 4,412 crore has been released for 67.3 lakh farme-rs.” —Prafulla Marpakwar