A demand has been made to the Pune Municipal Commissioner to cancel the Deep Mahotsav planned at Shaniwar Wada and redirect its proposed funds towards drinking water, fodder and other essential support in drought-affected areas of Maharashtra.
The request was submitted by Rishikesh Balgude, who cited the drought situation in several parts of the state and the water-related difficulties being faced by residents. He argued that spending on a large public festival should be reconsidered while citizens and livestock in affected regions require immediate assistance.
According to the representation, the proposed festival allocation could instead support drinking-water arrangements, fodder for animals and other basic facilities in drought-hit areas. Balgude said this would provide relief to families dealing with the crisis and urged the civic administration to assess expenditure priorities in light of the prevailing conditions.
The demand does not oppose the celebration of festivals in general. Balgude’s stated position is that public funds should be deployed according to the urgency of public needs, particularly during a water-scarcity period. He also pointed to what he described as an inconsistency between asking residents to conserve water and spending on festivals during a drought situation.
The request comes after the Maharashtra government declared drought in 265 of the state’s 358 talukas on September 26, 2026. The declaration covers approximately 74 per cent of the state’s area, according to the report. The government has announced measures for affected farmers, including land-revenue concessions, crop-loan restructuring, suspension of loan recovery, electricity-bill concessions and water-supply support.
Balgude asked the municipal commissioner to review the expenditure planned for the Shaniwar Wada festival and consider diverting it towards the water and fodder requirements of drought-affected communities. The supplied report does not include a response from the Pune Municipal Corporation or details of the festival’s proposed budget, schedule or implementation status.
