Mumbai, May 10 (Mumbai Mirror): The state government has informed the Bombay High Court that it would declare drought in over 29,000 villages. The government in its reply to a batch of PILs on water shortage, told the court that it would issue a corrigendum and clarify that wherever reference is made to a 'drought-like situation', and 'drought-affected areas', the same should be read as 'drought'.

The affidavit said last week the government was strictly implementing various schemes and taking various measures to mitigate the water scarcity in drought-hit areas and more particularly in Marathwada and Vidarbha.

The court also took note of the contention of Acting Advocate General Rohit Deo that it would not be possible for the government to supply drinking water daily to all districts but it would be supplied on a regular basis. The government had earlier told the high court, which is hearing the PILs, that it had declared 'drought-like situation' in over 29,000 villages in Maharashtra.

One of the petitioners, Sanjay Lakhe Patil, had alleged last week that the government has failed to implement the drought manual of 2009 as well as the drought management plan, 2005.

He had submitted that the state government has deliberately not declared drought in Maharashtra or in the actually affected areas.