Actor Riteish Deshmukh, younger son of former Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, has donated Rs 25 lakh towards the ‘Jalyukta Latur’ initiative, the drought relief programme in Maharashtra.
Asked whether this was part of the State-run Jalyukt Shivar scheme or Aamir Khan’s Paani Foundation initiative, the actor told The Hindu , “Actually, none of these. Jalyukt Shivar is an independent initiative by the people of Latur through which they are trying to collect funds to widen and de-silt the Manjara River, which provides water to the region.”
“People have already collected Rs 4 crore, and I decided to contribute to it,” said the actor, who returned from Latur this morning after visiting the river site and making his contribution.
“Visited Latur today- saw the extraordinary work done by @JalyuktLatur: many NGOs & locals working under one roof,” the actor tweeted, along with some pictures. The donation comes at a time when Latur is reeling under a severe water crisis, and the Railway Ministry in collaboration with the Maharashtra government transported more than 25 lakh litres of water in wagons to the city. Sugar factories of Latur, some of which are controlled by Mr Vilasrao Deshmukh’s family, are being blamed for guzzling water, causing a drinking water scarcity in the city.
