Nagpur : Vidarbha accounts for 95 of 265 talukas that were declared drought-hit by Maharashtra govt under Trigger-1 category for this kharif season. The region now accounts for about 36% of the notified talukas, with all 11 districts making it to the list.
Current electricity bills of farm pumps above 7.5 HP will get a concession and power connections of farm pumps in scarcity-declared villages won’t be snapped. The GR also mentioned relaxed MGNREGA norms so that as many works as possible can start, tanker water delivered wherever needed, arrangements for farm-dependent families and labourers so that they don’t face shortage of food grain, fodder for cattle. These include a concession in land revenue, restructuring of crop loans and a stay on recovery of agriculture-linked loans. Examination fees of school and college students will be waived. Water conservation works and potable water supply are also mentioned in the directives.