VOL. 2 | ISSUE NO. 1 | MAY 2012 | `50 | PAGES 52 MAHARASHTRA AHEAD Overcoming Scarcity Ten Decisions to give Succor to Scarcity Affected Villages 1. Concession in land revenue 2. Conversion of co-operative loans 3. 33 per cent concession in electricity bills 4. Relaxation in parameters of MGNREGA 5. Examination fees waived off 6. Recovery of agricultural loans stopped 7. Drinking water is being supplied on war-footing through tankers and bullock carts 8. Water in all irrigation projects is reserved for drinking purpose on priority 9. Fodder depots are opened 10. Electricity connection of affected farmers will not be disconnected due to pending bills and if disconnected will be reconnected immediately Overcoming Scarcity While presenting this issue of ‘Maharashtra Ahead’ I am filled with mixed emotions. In the milieu of the Maharashtra Day, 52 years flashback showcases the voyage of five glorious decades on one hand, while on the other hand the severe scarcity situation that has gripped some parts of the State has grieved the mind. The issue details information about efforts of the State Government to mitigate the scarcity situation. These measures should make people from the scarcity hit areas feel secured. We take this opportunity to present before you the praiseworthy experiments of some people in the field of water conservation. These success stories are the testimonies of Maharashtra’s strength that has made it the guiding spirit for others. Immediate necessary measures taken by the Government has provided relief to the people facing the ordeal of the scarcity. The Employment Guarantee Scheme has provided livelihood to lakhs of people. More works are on the shelves. The Government has ensured that there will be no paucity of funds to tackle the situation. H.E. Governor K. Sankaranarayanan, Hon. Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Hon. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar are personally giving attention to situation. Every member in the ministry and the whole Government machinery is dedicatedly putting efforts to combat situation. It is time for citizens to be united and support the Government to overcome the situation. I am sure, in the time of crisis the people of Maharashtra will show extra courage and become the role model for the country. The State of Maharashtra came into existence on 1st May, 1960. A special article ‘Raj Bhavan File unravels the Events of the Historic Day’, will make you relive those golden moments taking you down the memory lane. This enlightening article is taken from the archives of the Raj Bhavan, where all historic documents are preserved. It is the invaluable heritage of the State. The issue also carries articles by Dr. Madhavrao Chitale, an authority on Water Management, Director, GSDA K.M. Nagargoje and senior, Geologist Shashank Deshpande, Prakash Bal Joshi, Abhay Mokashi, Dilip Chaware and others showing the ways and means to augment the water resources to fight scarcity. Taking on all odds and emerging with triumph is the true spirit of Maharashtra. The symbolic Peepal leaf on the cover gives the message of peace and enlightment to overcome any adverse situation. I am sure, our readers will welcome this issue like the past ones. Pramod T. Nalawade Editor-in-Chief, ‘Maharashtra Ahead’, DGIPR May 2012 3 Contents MAHARASHTRA AHEAD 5 Prioritizing People’s Welfare VOL.2 ISSUE NO.1 MAY 2012 `50 - The Chief Minister 8 Blueprint of Development - The Deputy Chief Minister Editor-in-Chief Pramod T. Nalawade 10 Sustainable Solution - Dr. Patangrao Kadam Managing Editor Pralhad Jadhav 12 The Precious Drop Team Maharashtra Ahead - Prof. Laxmanrao Dhobale Suresh Wandile 13 The Magic of EGS Kirti Pande - Dr. Nitin Raut Kriti Lalla 14 The Fruitful Integrated Efforts Sales and Circulation 5 Digamber Palve - Prakash Solanke Vilas Bodke 15 Mitigation Measures Produced by - Praveen Pardeshi Navbharat Press Ltd. 18 Self-sufficientVillages,a Director Operations: D.B. Sharma Fundamental Development Project Management Team - V. Giriraj G.M. Operations: A. Shrinivas A.G.M.: Dalvinder Singh 20 Strategies of Water Manager: Ashok Shirke Management for Drought Editorial Coordinator: Sudhir Brahme Prone Areas Prepress - Dr. Madhavrao Chitale A.G.M. Prepress: Sachin Phulpagar 25 Rethink Watershed Art Development Art Director: Mahesh Jadhav 15 Photos Correction:Siddhesh Sawant - Vijay Anna Borade Maharashtra Ahead is printed on behalf of the 26 Kadvanchi Defeats Scarcity Directorate General of Information and Public - Yashwant Bhandare Relations, Government of Maharashtra, at 28 Future Favours the Brave Navbharat Press Ltd - Mohan Atalkar Navbharat Bhavan, Plot no. 13, Sector 8, 29 From Peoples’ Participation to Sanpada (East), Water Conservation Navi Mumbai 400 706. - Kiran Wagh Published by Pramod T. Nalawade at Mantralaya, 30 AVillageWithNoWater Mumbai-400032 Scarcity Letters should be addressed to - Rajendra Sarag Directorate General of Information and Public 20 Relations, New Administrative Building, 17th Floor, 31 Watering the Long-term Opposite Mantralaya, Mumbai-400032. Solutions Email: [email protected] Please visit the website - Prakash Bal Joshi http://dgipr.maharashtra.gov.in 34 NeedtoAugmentIrrigation Coverage - Dilip Chaware 38 The Ground Realities - K. M. Nagargoje 41 NaturalIrony - Abhay Mokashi Directorate General of Information and Public Relations 44 A Raj Bhavan File Unravels A Government of Maharashtra Production Events of the Historic Day 44 - Umesh Kashikar Pls note: The views expressed by the writers are their own Maharashtra Ahead Prioritizing People's Welfare We are committed to safeguard every citizen’s right to live a peaceful, secured, happy and contented life Maharashtra is a leading progressive State in the country. We all need to take collective efforts to keep the State on the forefront. I am determined to give priority to the welfare of the comman man and inclusive development. Society is greater than an individual, is the principle behind this, says the Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan. n this august day when we SPEEDY URBANISATION doing so. Facing natural calamities such celebrate the foundation day Urbanization is fast growing in as scarcity like situation is a greater Oof the State it is inevitable to Maharashtra than any other State problem than solving the issues that remember the Architect of Modern resulting growing pressure on are the outcome of the development. Maharashtra late Yashwantraoji infrastructure in the city. Construction Of course we have succeeded in solving Chavan. This year we are also of houses have increased. Agriculture these issues by taking corrective meas- celebrating his birth centenary. It is land is shrinking. There is ever ures to overcome the situation. needless to elaborate today on the increasing demand for drinking water, contributions and achievements water for agriculture usage as well as TACKLING THE SCARCITY of the State. But it is our duty to for the industrial purpose. Demand We have geared up from wider follow the footprints of Yashwantraoji for electricity is also on rise. Investors perspective to fight with the scarcity and never forget the principles of this from other States and from abroad situation. We have decided not to great visionary. Hence the principle, are getting attracted towards recover outstanding loans by force or ‘society is greater than an individual’, Maharashtra. cut agriculture power connections. has been set as our motto. In formulating We should not consider such issues The daily wages of the employment the policies we give importance to the as the problems as these things are guarantee scheme have been raised to works of the society as a whole than any inevitable on the path of growth. Proper Rs. 145 from 1st April. Collectors have individual. planning is the only solution and we are been asked to purchase new tankers in order to supply water to all scarcity-hit villages. I visited scarcity-hit villages of Sangli and Satara districts to get appraised of the situation. A State level meeting was organized in Pune to take stock of the situation. The Governor has looked the issue very sensitively and we are tackling the problem under his able guidance. Earlier, when grains, cotton and Soyabeen-growing farmers from Vidarbha were hit by unseasonal rains and hailstorm we had announced the largest-ever relief package of Rs. 1282 crore in the Winter Session in Nagpur and the financial aid is being provided to them in phases. We have also announced Rs 1-lakh special interest-free small-term loan to the May 2012 5 Maharashtra Ahead farmers who have already paid farm loans within the stipulated time. DELEGATION MEETS PRIME MINISTER The United Nations has declared The Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan alongwith a 2012 as the Year for Cooperation and delegation met Prime Minister the Central Government has undertaken Dr. Manmohan Singh and some initiatives; the State Government submitted a memorandum is implementing the same. apprising him of the severe scarcity situation in Maharashtra. METROPOLITAN GROWTH The Maharashtra Mumbai the economic capital of the Government sought a country has spread its tentacles taking financial package of Rs. into gamut the entire metropolitan 2,281.37 crore and five lakh region. We are implementing several metric tonne foodgrain at BPL rates from the Centre to projects of planned infrastructure tackle scarcity situation in 15 development for the Metropolis districts of the State. making it the global economic centre. The State has sought In the last one-and-a-half year’s period Rs. 782.11 crore for small farmers who have lost their kharif and rabbi crops, Rs. 73.60 the Government has taken several crore for grapes, mangoes, orange, pomegranates growers, Rs. 129.39 crore for water supply schemes, Rs. 300 crore for construction of check dams, Rs. 700 crore for mid decisions to make life of Mumbaikar term schemes to cope with scarcity. comfortable. Decisions taken by the With the severe scarcity, about 15 districts are facing acute water shortage. Apart Housing and Urban Development from Western Maharashtra, Marathwada, North Maharashtra and some talukas of Department will prove to be milestones.