Maha govt's 'Jalyukt Shivar' programme has flopped: Congress

Number of tankers being used in drought-hit areas in Maharashtra has risen which is indicative of the "failure" of the state government's flagship 'Jalyukt Shivar' scheme, the Congress alleged Wednesday.

The Maharashtra government on October 31 declared drought in 151 talukas across 26 of total 36 districts in the state.

The opposition party said 17,715 tankers were supplying drinking water till November this year.

The opposition party attributed the figure of tankers to the state Water Supply department.

"Maharashtra received 74.3 per cent rainfall and according to water supply department, 17,715 tankers were supplying drinking water till November this year," party

spokesman Sachin Sawant said in a statement.

"Maharashtra had received 70.2 per cent rainfall in 2014. Only 71 tankers were in service till November 17 that year. In 2015, the state had received only 59.4 per cent rainfall and 693 tankers were supplying drinking water," he said.

Sawant further said Rs 7789 crore were spent on the Jalyukt Shivar works. "Where is that money gone?" he questioned.

The Jalyukta Shivar project involves deepening and widening of streams, construction of cement and earthen stop dams, work on nullahs and digging of farm ponds. The aim of

the scheme is to make Maharashtra a drought-free state by 2019.