Akshay Kumar
Akshay KumarReuters

After Aamir Khan and Nana Patekar, Akshay Kumar has come out in support of the drought-affected people of Maharashtra. The actor recently donated a large sum of money to the Maharashtra government's local water conservation scheme, Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyaan.

According to Filmfare, Akshay donated Rs. 50 lakh for Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyaan to help the drought-stricken state of Maharashtra. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also thanked the "Housefull 3" actor for his contribution.

Akshay has reached out to almost 180 farmers and has planned to do a charity show with his co-star Riteish Deshmukh in Latur to raise funds. "Akshay has taken care to stay away from publicity. We want to appeal others in cities to help farmers," IGP Aurangabad Vishwas Nangre Patil, who is associated with Akshay for this work, told Mumbai Mirror.

Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyaan is a scheme initiated by the government to make Maharashtra becomes a drought-free state by 2019. The water conservation scheme includes deepening and widening of streams, construction of cement and earthen stop dams, work on nullahs and digging of farm ponds, according to the official website of Jalyukt Shivar.

Earlier, Aamir, Nana and the Marathi film industry came out to help the people of Maharashtra who have been hit by one of the history's worst drought situations.

Nana and Marathi actor Makarand Anaspure started the NAAM Foundation seven months ago and have donated between Rs. 12,000 and Rs. 16,000 to hundreds of families in Maharashtra, Mumbai Mirror reported.

Aamir along with his Satyamev Jayate team founded "PAANI FOUNDATION" and launched a "Water Cup" competition for 37 villages. "We have trained representatives of these villages with the help of experts. Aamir is holding meetings officials and the winner will receive Rs 50 lakh. In the end, all villages will winners as they will save water," Satyajit Bhatkal, convenor of the project, told the tabloid.

Maharashtra is facing one of the worst water crises in years, with 27,723 villages, nearly half of the 43,000 villages, have been declared drought-hit. Of the 27,723 villages, 11,962 villages have been declared drought-hit in Vidarbha region. The Centre has approved Rs. 3,050 crore financial relief assistance to Maharashtra, which is the largest drought relief given to any state.