Akhilesh meets PM, seeks Rs 11,000 crore to combat drought

The Prime Minister discussed the politically sensitive issues with the Chief Ministers of Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra separately.

The much awaited meeting of Modi and UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav after three days of water train politics is being considered as a crucial one in the light of the upcoming Assembly election in the state due in 2017.

During the meeting, Yadav sought Rs 11,000 crore from the Centre for the drought-hit state, putting aside acrimony over a “water train” sent by the Centre to the parched Bundelkhand region. He even said there is water in the dams of Bundelkhand, only arrangements have to be made for its distribution. “There is enough water in the dams of Bundelkhand. We need tankers to lift it. A train will not be able to reach those villages,” the UP CM added.

According to sources, the Centre wants to take visible, long-term measures for the region, which is frequently ravaged by drought.

The Centre had rushed a water train to the region but it has stayed parked at Jhansi station. Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti had on Thursday shot off a letter to Yadav asking why the water train demanded by Bundelkhand’s lawmakers from Madhya Pradesh was rejected. Bundelkhand has 13 districts spread over Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh respectively. Yadav wrote back saying there is water in the reservoirs in Bundelkhand and the region needs 10,000 water tankers for transporting it to the areas facing stress and not a train.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday sought increased funding for several Central schemes during his meeting with the Prime Minister over the issue. 

“Overall 28,000 villages have been hit by drought in the state across 20-22 districts. This includes the entire Marathwada region, West Vidarbha, districts of Ahmednagar, Solpaur and Sangli to an extent,” said Fadnavis after the meet. However, the Maharashtra CM declined to share information on how much money the state has asked from the Centre.

The Centre has decided to unconditionally release Rs 1,100 crore on May 13 as the second instalment to meet water requirements in states, many of which are battling severe heat conditions, Union Minister of State for Drinking Water Ramkripal Yadav said on Saturday.