Kolhapur: Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday issued directions to set up an expert panel to suggest measures for providing clean, regular and adequate water to the textile town of Ichalkaranji, residents of which have complained of health risks because of the polluted water received from the Panchaganga river. The residents, activists and leaders of Ichalkaranji have been demanding water from the Dudhganga river flowing through Kagal tehsil.
The Sulkud water supply scheme has already been approved by the state govt. Farmers from Kagal tehsil are, however, opposing the project, saying that they face water scarcity because of leakages in the upstream dam. “The clean water supply to the residents of Ichalkaranji is the need of the hour. I will ensure this and also make sure that nobody faces any scarcity. There is a need to find a middle path. Therefore, I have issued orders to the Kolhapur district collector to appoint a panel of experts, including activists and leaders from both sides, and officials of various govt. agencies. The committee will file a detailed report on measures enabling clean and regular water supply to Ichalkaranji residents. The report must be filed within a month, after which the final decision will be taken,” the Chief Minister said. Political observers said the CM’s order was aimed at thawing tension on both the sides, ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The meeting took place in Mumbai. Tensions rose after district Guardian Minister Hasan Mushrif took a strong stand against the Sulkud water supply scheme. Activists from Ichalkaranji have repeatedly threatened to show black flags to Mushrif and even to CM Shinde, who was earlier scheduled to visit Ichalkaranji on March 3, over the issue. Ichalkaranji comes under the Hatkanangle Lok Sabha constituency and Kagal in Kolhapur constituency. CM Shinde-led Sena is expecting to contest in both these seats and the issue could pose a huge hurdle in winning these two if left unresolved, according topolitical observers.
SOURCE: Times of India
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