The government has announced a drought declaration in 265 out of 358 talukas across the state.
The state government has announced twelve relief measures for the impacted regions.
“In this drought situation, farmers, agricultural labourers and working people in the state will be at the centre of our relief efforts,” said Fadnavis. Officials said the early declaration was made to provide immediate relief. Crop compensation will be declared separately once the panchanamas are completed. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis had emphasised that the current announcement is based on a preliminary assessment of the drought and more talukas could be added later. Drought is usually declared by end-October after crop-damage panchnamas.
El Nino-induced poor rainfall and prolonged dry spells prompted the government on Saturday to declare drought in 265 of the state’s 358 talukas (74%), across 34 of 36 districts – the widest coverage in a decade.
“It will take a little time,” he told the media in Parbhani. The state government has also assured that tankers will be deployed for drinking water, electricity to agricultural pumps will not be disconnected, food grains and fodder for livestock will be arranged, water will be provided for livestock, and additional water conservation works will be undertaken. State cooperation minister Babasaheb Patil generated controversy when asked how long it would take for help to reach farmers.
In response, rural development minister Jaykumar Gore said, “The govt has shown great sensitivity in declaring drought in 265 talukas.
The govt is fooling the farmers,” said Congress’s Vijay Wadettiwar. Relief minister Makarand Patil said added that farmers would receive compensation in their bank accounts before Diwali. The opposition feared an eyewash. “Why should there be a delay in help reaching the farmers?