Addressing a press conference near Bidree in Kolhapur district, Khadse said the decision was taken with a view to save Maharashtra's share of water for consumption and avoid sharing of water with other states under any circumstances.

Among the total 14 dams one is in Kolhapur district, the minister said and reiterated that the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance government will store its share of water totally by the end of year 2000, though the task is not easy.

The State Government has given priority to the proper rehabilitation of project-affected people and so far Rs 135 crore have been spent on rehabilitation works, he informed.

Khadse informed that the State Government had earlier estimated the total projects work cost to be about Rs 7,100 crore.

Khadse charged that the previousgovernment had not concentrated enough nor maintained appropriate speed for the completion of irrigation works.