Maharashtra declares 265 tehsils drought-hit amid torrential rains in East
Mumbai, September 26: The Maharashtra government on Saturday issued a government order (GO) declaring 265 tehsils ( spread across 32 districts) of the state as drought-hit. According to the government order issued, financial assistance will be announced very soon for the farmers in the drought-hit tehsils.
Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne told reporters on Saturday that according to the survey, a total of 358 tehsils in the state were found to be drought-hit. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar had recently visited the drought-hit areas and tried to understand the drought situation by meeting the farmers. For this reason, today Chief Minister Fadnavis has declared 265 tehsils out of 358 tehsils as drought-hit. “Trigger-1” (meaning “total drought”) has been implemented in these areas.
The Agriculture Minister stated that the first phase has been completed today. Assistance for these tehsils will be announced in a phased manner very soon. He explained that in view of the severe drought situation, the government has directed the administration to complete the crop loss punchnama quickly. To maintain transparency in the loss assessment, instructions have been given to capture photographs of the actual condition of the crops and GPS locations.
Bharne further told that following the declaration of 265 tehsils in the state as drought-affected, farmers in drought-affected areas will be fully exempted from land revenue. A decision has also been taken to waive examination fees for school and college students. The recovery of agricultural loans from drought-affected farmers will be immediately halted. Furthermore, loan restructuring will be implemented to provide immediate relief from financial stress. Farmers will also receive relief on their existing electricity bills for agricultural pumps. Electricity bills for agricultural pumps up to 7.5 horsepower are already waived, and now, pumps with higher capacities will also receive electricity bill discounts. The government has also directed that electricity connections for agricultural pumps in drought-affected villages not be disconnected. Necessary relaxations will be made in the rules of the Employment Guarantee Scheme to provide maximum employment to drought-affected families.
The minister apprised that furthermore, arrangements will be made to provide grain to farmers and agricultural laborers dependent on agriculture to ensure food security during the drought. Water tankers will be immediately deployed as needed in areas facing drinking water shortages. Fodder and water will also be provided for livestock. The government will also undertake large-scale water conservation and water saving work. The government has directed all district magistrates to complete crop loss assessments expeditiously. These measures are aimed at providing immediate relief to farmers, agricultural laborers, students, and the rural population in drought-affected areas.
