Marathwada is witnessing one of the worst droughts that the region has seen in the past century. Places like Latur and Beed are the worst hit. As wells and taps go dry, the government has swung into action to ensure that the locals don't go thirsty.The situation is so bad that the government had to rush a 50-wagon water train to the parched region. But water tankers arranged by the government for thirsty villages in the Marathwada region are being diverted and sold for Rs 2,000 each by local administrators to rich businessmen.

People in Beed, located 137 km from Latur, are also reeling under a severe water shortage. The people of the district are largely dependent on water tankers arranged by the administration. Close to 800 water tankers are supplying water everyday to villages across this central Maharashtra region.

But is that water reaching those who really need it? India Today's special investigation team visited Beed for a reality check. And the probe has revealed shocking details.

Merchants of drought

Water tankers meant for the thirsty population of the region are being sold to businessmen for profit. The dirty business has been authorised by local administrative officers.

Our reporters posed as businessmen wanting to set up an industry in the area and met Gopal Gurkhade, the Sabhapati of Beed municipal council. Reporters told Gurkhade that they will need 2-3 tankers of water everyday.

Here's the conversation that followed: Gopal Gurkhade, Sabhapati Municipal Council, Beed Gopal Gurkhade, Sabhapati Municipal Council, Beed

Reporter: How many tankers are operating?

Gurkhade: Two... in the rural areas. How many tankers you need?

Reporter: We will be needing at least two tankers daily.

Source: I had asked him for five tankers.

Reporter: No, initially we will need two tankers daily... those with 12,000-litre capacity. But we will need more water when construction of the factory roof starts.

Gurkhade: No issues... our work will continue throughout the year. If the rainfall is good...you won't need any tankers.

Reporter: But the condition will be like this for two more months...

Gurkhade: Don't worry, we will provide you 'full' water... as much as you want.

Despite the severe water shortage, the Sabhapati of the Beed Municipal council had no problem promising 36,000 litres of water a day. The villagers may be queuing up for water for hours, but that was not Gopal Gurkhade's concern. His only concern was money.

Gurkhade: See, the situation here is a bit 'tight'. You'll get a tanker for Rs 2,000.

Reporter: One tanker for Rs 2,000?

Gurkhade: Yes, 12,000-litre tanker...

Reporter: We will get water tanker for Rs 2,000...?

Gurkhade: Yes, yes...you will. Use it wherever you want...we will provide you the tanker within 10km of Beed...wherever you need it.

Reporter: Three tankers daily...that makes it Rs 6,000 for a day. Rs 2 lakh a month total...

Gurkhade: Yes, it will be done.

The deal was struck - Rs 6,000 for 36,000 litres water every day. And this was not all, Gurkhade even offered protection from police and uninterrupted power supply for the factory.

Gurkhade: Now that you've come here...we will deal with every issue. Electricity, police...we will take care of them all.

Reporter: Okay...

Gurkhade: Police station, extortion ... we will ensure that you get all the permissions you need.

Reporter: I see.

Gurkhade: We will ensure that you get to meet whoever you want to. If you want to meet the collector... just call us and we will arrange it for you.

India Today investigation team then met officers of Beed's Panchayat Samiti. It is the Samiti which manages the flow of water tankers to the region's thirsty villages. Our reporters got in touch with Lakshmikant, the Panchayat officer and Ghyasuddin Zuberi, the man who handles all the accounts of the tankers. Both agreed to meet us at our hotel. Here's how the deal was struck:

Panchayat officer Lakshmikant. Panchayat officer Lakshmikant.

Reporter: As you know, construction work requires consistent flow of water. We will need 2-3 tankers daily.

Zuberi: Of 12,000 litre capacity?

Reporter: Yes

Lakshmikant: 12x3= 36,000 litres water...

Zuberi: Thoda kam jyada ho...

Reporter: That's okay... we are not going to measure every litre.

Zuberi: You be assured. Will give you more, not less.

Reporter: Great! We are counting on you then...

Lakshmikant: He (source) told me you are a big industrialist. This is risky ...you know

Panchayat accountant Ghyasuddin Zuberi. Panchayat accountant Ghyasuddin Zuberi.

The two admitted that sending tankers for private use was a big risk, but had a simple plan to ensure that tankers reach the 'factory site' without any hitch. The tankers would deliver water at night, without any government identification on them.

Reporter: But how will the tankers reach the site? We won't be caught right?

Lakshmikant: No, no. Tankers will operate at night. Though these tankers are being operated by the administration, there will be no identification plate on them. Tankers will come, unload water at your site and leave.

Reporter: Alright. I will direct the labourers to be present at the construction site after 7 or 8 pm.

Next day the two met India Today reporters again to discuss money and finalise the deal.

Reporter: Rs 2,000 per tanker... which means it will be Rs 4,000 per day. What will be the payment schedule like? Daily or monthly.

Lakshmikant: Why don't we do it weekly? You can pay us once every eight days.

Reporter: Okay. We have no issues. Payment will be made every Saturday. If we will get... suppose three tankers daily then 8x6= 48. We will pay you Rs 48,000 per week.

Zuberi, Lakshmikant: That's right. okay.

So, for Rs 48,000 a week, water meant for Beed's parched villagers was sold to construct a factory. There was no limit to the amount of water we could ask for, as long as we had the money.

In the course of the probe, India Today's special investigation team also met Beed's Nayab Tehsildar Kama Kute. She's the one who is supposed to have first hand idea of the terrible situation in her district. But when we told her that we needed water tankers to set up a factory, she was more than willing to help.

Reporter: What we are saying is... nearly 50 tankers are being sent to villages. Can we not get two tankers from those...

Kute: Well, I can do that. We will send one tanker in the village and another one to your construction site.

Reporter: Yes, that's great

India Today reporters asked Kamal Kute, if she can divert a tanker meant for one of the villages to our construction site and she agreed. All she needed was permission from her boss. We met Ashok Nandlangaonkar, Tehsildar, Beed, next.

Reporter: Sir, our construction work will start from the 15th. We need your help and permission to go ahead. We need 2-3 tankers daily till the rains arrive. We are also planning to contruct company's guest house here.

Tehsildar: Ok, will give my approval

Reporter: What we only want is regular water supply for construction...that's it.

Tehsildar: ok, ok. You are welcome

Reporter: Thank you sir... and what will be the amount?

Tehsildar: You give it to him (to a office person)...

After a brief introduction, in the first meeting itself, the Tehsildar of Beed was also on board. He, however, did not talk about or take money. The reason was revealed to us by his junior, Kamal Kute, later. Nandlangaonkar did not want to be caught on CCTV camera taking any money. So, he send the Kute to meet us outside office to work out the deal. The Nayab Tehsildat met us with her husband at our hotel.

Next day, Kute met India Today reporters and the deal was finalised. Rs 2,000 for one tanker. But before leaving, India Today's special investigation team met with Beed Tehsildar Ashok Nandlangaonkar once again. This time we asked him if we could install a borewell at our plot. Boring beyond 200 feet is illegal in the state and a person can be jailed for defying the law. But even this illegality was not an issue with the Tehsildar

That Marathwada is facing nature's fury is a fact. But unfortunately, water scarcity has more to do with the local administration's callous attitude than to nature.

Also Read:

Latur: The great thirst



India Today special report: Sugarcane, not IPL, responsible for Maharashtra's drought



Train with 5 lakh litres of water reaches drought-hit Latur in Maharashtra

