Devendra Fadnavis
Fadnavis said panchnamas required for the Centre’s assistance can’t be conducted before Oct 5. Because there is a drought is not right, but to say someone is deliberately doing this.
“Panchnamas will be carried out after preliminary review,” Fadnavis said. The chief minister said the govt would ensure emergency assistance, including drinking water and fodder, for affected farmers. Fadnavis said the state had anticipated the impact of El Niño and had undertaken a fodder development programme in advance. “Fodder cultivation is already in place,” he said. The move, he said, is aimed at protecting standing crops in villages where well water is available. Responding to the opposition’s demand for a formal drought declaration, Fadnavis said the govt is following the existing procedure laid down through a GR. He said the same procedure had been followed when the opposition was in power. “The state is completing the process so that we can immediately carry out panchnamas and send a proposal to the Centre,” he said. However, the administration should be sensitive to such issues,” he said.
Fadnavis has directed cabinet ministers to undertake preliminary assessments in their respective districts. Three lists under the loan waiver scheme had been completed, while the remaining lists will be finalised expeditiously, he added. The govt would also provide additional electricity to farmers during evening hours for irrigation through wells. “Such things should be avoided.
Nagpur: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday said the state govt would complete a preliminary assessment of drought-like conditions within a week for providing immediate relief to farmers without waiting for National Disaster Response Fund ( NDRF ) assistance.