Maharashtra clears 32 more proposals for non-irrigation use of water
* Waives restoration charges on water for drinking purposes for local bodies barring municipal corporations * Four of the proposals cleared are from Vidarbha region Staff Reporter In a move that will increase non-irrigation use of water from irrigation projects in Maharashtra and reduce further the availability of water for agricultural purposes, State Cabinet cleared 32 proposals for reservation of water for drinking water purposes. While giving nod to this reservation, the Cabinet also waived restoration charges for local bodies except municipal corporations. State Cabinet cleared 32 proposals seeking allocation of 36.58123 million cubic metres (MCuM) of water for drinking purposes, from irrigation projects. Of these, the highest eight proposals were from Jalgaon district, followed by six from Pune district, three from Kolhapur, two each from Sangli and Latur. A proposal each was from Jalna, Satara, Beed, Thane, Aurangabad, Nashik, and Solapur. Of a total 36.58123 MCuM...