Mumbai, May 22 - Centre has sanctioned Rs 588 crore as part of the drought-relief package to Maharashtra.

Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Patangrao Kadam expressed satisfaction saying that it was a substantial amount.

The state government had sought over Rs 2,200 crore as financial package for drought relief in 15 districts.

Kadam said the state government's relief measures in providing fodder, drinking water and EGS works were going on and there were sufficient funds for the purpose.

At present, 1,489 villages and 5,673 tankers in 15 districts were being provided drinking water through 1,416 tankers.

He said 113 temporary drinking water schemes and 286 special repairs of existing schemes had been sanctioned at the district collector and divisional commissioner level.

"Out of these, 85 temporary and 28 special repairs schemes had been completed. Due to this, the number of tankers had come down by 262," he added.

Kadam said fodder camps had been set up in Sangli, Satara, Solapur, Ahmednagar, Indapur and Baramati. At present there were 16 cattle camps and 162 fodder camps. "So far, about 90,000 metric tonnes of fodder has been distributed," he added. PTI