'Govt has taken adequate steps to tackle drought': Pawar

Sangli, June 12: Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today said the Maharashtra government has taken adequate steps, including rehabilitation of ten lakh cattle, to tackle the drought situation in the state.

Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan had submitted a report to the Centre for the proposed Rs 60 crore irrigation project to tackle drought in the state, Pawar said in his address as the chief guest during the graduation ceremony of Walchand college of engineering here, according to a release. Of this amount, the Centre had offered to contribute 50 per cent by raising a World Bank loan, while the rest should come from the state, the NCP chief said.

The secretaries of irrigation, finance and planning departments have been asked to outline how the amount would be contributed for the purpose, Pawar said. On the elections to NCP presidential post, he said it would be decided on June 15.

PTI