Next generation from Marathwada will not witness drought, says CM

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Saturday that even if the present generation from Marathwada has to face drought, the future generation will not witness it.

"We are working on diversion of water flow into the sea towards Marathwada. A total of 53 TMC water will be brought into the basin of Godavari river. We are drafting a plan for the project," he said.

The CM, while addressing a religious programme at Ghatshil Pargaon village from Shirur taluka of Beed district, said the blessings from seers and saints from Marathwada would ensure successful implementation of water diversion project. The CM, during his earlier visit to Beed on Feb 5, had also mentioned water diversion for Marathwada.

Fadnavis also recalled the memories of late BJP leader Gopinath Munde, who belonged to Beed district. "Under the leadership of him (Munde), I got the opportunity to shoulder different party-related responsibilities. During those days, I came to know about Beed and developed a special bond with it," he said during the event that was attended by Munde's daughter and environment and climate change minister Pankaja Munde.

Meanwhile, reacting to the language row stirred by MNS and the opposition over mandatory teaching of Hindi in schools from early levels, Fadnavis said he objected to selective opposition to Hindi and not English. "Marathi is mandatory in Maharashtra. Everyone must learn it. But if you want to learn another language along with it, you can learn that language. I wonder why there is opposition to Hindi and not English," he said, adding that the govt would not tolerate anyone opposing Marathi.