Maha shifts gears to water conservation and direct relief amid looming drought

Mumbai, Sep 23 (UNI) In a decisive policy shift, the Maharashtra government has ordered district planning committees to immediately halt spending on cement roads and gutters, redirecting all available funds toward critical water conservation and drinking water security. Presiding over a high-level state review meeting at Mantralaya alongside Chief Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, Revenue Minister Chandrakant Bavankule laid down strict administrative directives to combat the state's escalating agrarian distress. The government has mandated the immediate restoration of defunct and historical water storage structures, notably "Shivkalin Bhandaras" (Shivaji-era check dams), alongside aggressive groundwater recharging for rural drinking water schemes. Public funds will…