During the visit, revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule shared food with the affected farmers
The visit came amid growing concern over crop losses in the region, with farmers reporting severe stress due to prolonged rainfall deficiency and declining water availability. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Nagpur | Silver Rate in Nagpur | Bank Holidays in Nagpur | Public Holidays in Nagpur | Petrol Price in Nagpur | Diesel Price in Nagpur | CNG Price in Nagpur | LPG Price in Nagpur Stay updated with the latest Nagpur news.
He said relief measures would be taken on the basis of accurate assessment of crop damage. Bawankule said the govt’s focus would remain on providing comprehensive assistance to drought-hit farmers, along with drinking water, fodder for livestock, rural employment and measures to conserve and recharge water resources. He also stressed the need to implement the principle of “water in the village should remain in the village and water in the farm should remain in the farm”, calling for wider implementation of water conservation works. He also warned against exploitation by illegal moneylenders and said farmers could directly approach the administration with complaints.
Akola : Revenue minister and chairperson of the cabinet sub-committee on drought mitigation, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, assured farmers in drought-affected Akola and Buldhana districts that the state govt would extend all possible assistance to help them tide over the crisis. In Yeota in Akola taluka and Manki in Balapur taluka, Bawankule inspected crops and heard grievances of farmers relating to water scarcity, loans, agricultural losses and other pending issues. The minister directed the district administration to expedite crop damage assessments and ensure that panchnamas are conducted accurately and transparently. The assessments are crucial for determining the assistance payable to affected farmers and for seeking maximum assistance from Centre under NDRF norms. The minister further directed banks and credit societies not to harass farmers or undertake coercive loan recovery during the drought period. Bawankule also reviewed the use of district planning funds for drought mitigation and the implementation of Ahilyadevi Holkar debt relief scheme. Labour minister and Akola guardian minister Akash Fundkar, MP Anup Dhotre, MLAs Randhir Sawarkar, Prakash Bharasakale and Harish Pimple, MLC Vasant Khandelwal, mayor Sharda Khedkar and senior administrative officials accompanied Bawankule. Download the TOI App.
Bawankule on Friday inspected damaged soyabean and other crops in affected areas and interacted with farmers to understand the extent of losses and the difficulties caused by water scarcity.