Nagpur: Members of the state legislature can now use their 2026-27 local area development funds for drought and water-scarcity works. Govt authorised district collectors to sanction such works within a ceiling of Rs25 lakh.The planning department, through a govt resolution (GR) issued on Monday, stated that the move is meant to supplement relief measures being taken by administrative departments in 265 talukas declared drought-hit on Sept 25. The GR adds a new clause to the guidelines framed in 2016, making available funds to address acute water shortage in rural and urban areas.Collectors have been authorised to approve 13 types of works, including temporary piped water supply schemes or new tap connections, special repairs of pipelines and tanks of existing schemes, deepening or desilting of water supply wells, and digging new wells, ordinary wells and tubewells. Digging pits in riverbeds and setting up temporary storage tanks or ISI-certified plastic tanks are also covered.Other works include installation of water purifiers or RO plants at govt schools, sheds and water-supply material for authorised cowsheds, procurement of chemicals and material needed for clean drinking water at primary health centres, sub-centres and anganwadis.The GR states that for works costing more than the ceiling or falling outside the list, legislators can make a proposal to collectors, who have been instructed to forward it to the planning department as a “special case” along with detailed benefits of the proposed work.Pankaj Bhoyar, guardian minister of Wardha and Bhandara districts in east Vidarbha, said: “The decision will help benefits of govt schemes reach people faster.”
