CM Devendra Fadnavis inspects damaged crops during his visit to Dharashiv on Wednesday
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said the state govt would extend blanket assistance to farmers affected by the drought, with financial aid to be deposited directly into their bank accounts soon.
Highlighting relief measures taken in the recent past, Fadnavis said, “We have already waived farm electricity bills worth nearly Rs 48,000 crore, and farmers will not have to pay power bills in the future either.
“All necessary assistance, including foodgrain, will be provided to farmers,” he said, adding that water conservation and employment generation works will be taken up on a large scale. “The next few months are going to be challenging. Do not lose courage during this period. Let us face this crisis together with unity,” he appealed to farmers. The Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar loan waiver scheme has provided relief to farmers and its implementation will continue till every eligible farmer gets its benefit.”
He also warned that this year’s drought could be more severe than the historic drought of 1972. “Here, there is enough fodder stock to last for the next 130 days. Fadnavis said in Solapur that nearly 100% of soyabean and urad crops had been lost due to a prolonged gap in rainfall. Because the region lacks water and the fields are deserted, a 29-year-old farmer from Barshi tehsil told the CM that young men are not getting marriage proposals.
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The crop loss is across the board, and the assistance will also be provided across the board,” he said. The govt has started taking swift steps,” he said. He said proper planning will be done to ensure availability of drinking water and fodder . Fadnavis, while consoling the farmer, said the govt would stand by him in this crisis. On bringing flood waters from western Maharashtra towards Marathwada and possible river-linking project, he said the detailed project report for work would be completed by Dec with help from the World Bank. If required, cattle camps will be set up as per the demand,” Fadnavis said after visiting Dhanore village in Barshi tehsil and Karamba in North Solapur tehsil. He said that water stock at Ujani dam is reserved for drinking. We will ensure water availability for rabi sowing preparations after drinking needs are addressed,” said CM reiterating that in two to three days a govt resolution approving primary relief to the farmers will be issued.
“Crop damage assessment through panchnamas is a legal formality, even though the widespread damage is visible. The CM, after inspecting withered kharif crops at Jau and Kharosa villages, assured that the govt would not leave farmers alone in this crisis. “We understand the gravity of the situation. An emotional moment unfolded at Jau when a farmer broke down while explaining his crop loss situation. At Malkapur in Kalamb taluka of Dharashiv, Fadnavis inspected damaged soybean crops. Meanwhile, a group of farmers led by Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Dharashiv MLA raised slogans demanding immediate declaration of drought and financial aid to the affected farmers during the CM’s visit. Dharashiv district guardian minister and Shiv Sena minister Pratap Sarnaik tried to pacify Patil. “However, the small reservoirs do not have adequate water. The CM assured that a solution will be worked out to get water from Ujani dam to Barshi tehsil. Download the TOI App.
Earlier, the CM blamed the MVA govt for alleged failure in executing the water grid project for Marathwada. Fadnavis, who visited drought-affected areas in Latur, Dharashiv and Solapur districts on Thursday, said a Govt Resolution (GR) declaring the drought and outlining the relief measures would be issued before Saturday.