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indianexpress: Slamming the state government in general and Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh in particular for ignoring the water problem in the state, executive chairperson of Maharashtra Pani Parishad, Balasaheb Vikhe-Patil on Saturday demanded an immediate survey of dams, river water-linking and initiating of projects.

“If the water problems in the state are solved, agriculture problems and farmers suicides too will stop,” he said.

Vikhe-Patil said the state should target to provide an additional 680 TMC water to cater to 25 lakh hectare of land in the region that will help create jobs for 1.5 crore people.

Currently the area under irrigation in the state is 225 lakh hectares. Vikhe-Patil also suggested that Godavari and its tributaries be given priority in the survey. “Only 4.6 per cent of Vidarbha and Marathwada region is under irrigation. The survey will help in tapping more water,” he said.

Discussions regarding planning of water and irrigation in the state were organised at the Vikhe-Patil Foundation by the MPP, in the wake of preparation of the Central Budget and 11th Five Year Plan. Vikhe-Patil said that the National Water Development Authority had sent letters to all the states to initiate the survey but it was only Mahrashtra whose letter the authority had not received. “The state government lacks the will and aggression to solve the water and irrigation problem,” he said.
 

indianexpress: Vanita Hadke, 16, walks 14 km to school every day. With no slippers to protect her feet from the sun-scorched tar roads, she braves the commute through arid, deserted landscape just to be in school — a journey that takes her no less than three hours, one way.

For several students like Hadke in the tribal belt of Maval taluka, who fight against all odds to complete their education at Maval’s only secondary school - Varsubai Madhyamik Vidyalaya at Malegaon Budruk –each day at school is a new victory.

Today, moved by their grit and perseverance in following their dream, Hinjewadi-based valve-manufacturing company Virgo Engineers has volunteered to adopt the school, not only providing bicycles to students like Hadke, but facilitating a complete makeover of the school, which is plagued by problems of poor infrastructure and a growing drop-out rate.

“With a total student population of just 53 students, the school runs three classes for standard VIII, IX and X. While the passing percentage is barely 20 per cent, the dropout rate is also very high, with only ten of every 50 students making it to standard X,” says principal Rajesh Gaikwad.

With no electricity except a single supply line to the principal’s makeshift office, students are forced to study in unlit classrooms. This situation is worse for the standard X boys who sleep in the school, spending the night in classrooms that leak during the monsoon. A rickety bamboo-walled library-cum-staff room and open play area add to the dingy classrooms, and all civilization — including a doctor — is miles away.

Alerted to the school’s plight by reports in a local newspaper, Virgo Engineers rose to the task of adopting the school, and through detailed surveys of the school facilities, and the requirements projected by the school authorities, worked out a plan of action spanning the next two years.

“This would involve painting the school building, providing the necessary furniture including benches and bookshelves, as well any other kind of support required by the school,” says Virgo director VR Jayaraman.

indianexpress:  Reacting to recent news reports about the Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) CEO SK Sardana being rapped by a former president of the board for recommending an inquiry against a suspended official without his knowledge, newly appointed PCB President, Brigadier RJ Sharma said he would comment on the issue only after studying it.

Brig Sharma said: “Right now, I cannot comment on the letter.” He was addressing media persons on the sidelines of first General Body meeting held under his chairmanship.

Brig VK Bhatt, who was the officiating president of the board for a month in January, had written a strongly-worded letter saying that while he had approved the suspension of former chief revenue officer SM Pillay, no inquiry had been ordered by him into the matter.

The letter addressed to the Sardana said Bhatt was shocked to see the minutes of the meeting that were circulated to him indicating an inquiry. A copy of the letter is available with Pune Newsline. Pillay was suspended, among other reasons, for brokering a property tax deal that allegedly caused a loss of several crores of rupees to the board.

The letter further says that the inquiry was null and void as it had not been passed by Bhatt and had to be deleted from the CBR.

“You have not produced any preliminary investigation reports into the alleged losses in front of the board or the undersigned till date which is a prerequisite under rule 14 inquiry,” Brig Bhatt said in the letter. He also directed the CEO to bring up the matter before the board at the earliest.