Mumbai, Sep 18 (IANS) Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said the Maharashtra government has already initiated several key measures to mitigate drought and support farmers.
He noted that the overall drought situation and prospective financial assistance were formally discussed during the recent Cabinet meeting.
He was responding to a letter from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar, requesting immediate state intervention for the drought-like situation across Maharashtra.
Fadnavis said the state government’s farm loan waiver programme is actively underway. Three beneficiary lists have already been published, and additional lists are being prepared to ensure all eligible farmers receive assistance. Crop damage assessments (panchnamas) conducted as per National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) protocols starting October 5 will be submitted to secure central financial aid.
He added that the government is taking the drought situation seriously, making provisions for fodder camps and drinking water supply across impacted regions. Welcoming Pawar’s letter, he said the administration is open to incorporating constructive suggestions without politicising the issue.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde reviewed Maharashtra’s rainfall situation and reassured farmers facing severe crop damage due to dry spells. He said the government will provide complete support in drought-hit regions.
Responding to Pawar’s demand to declare a drought and distribute immediate relief aid officially, Shinde acknowledged that dry spells have scorched standing crops in parts of Vidarbha and Marathwada. Crop loss assessments are currently underway to distribute aid based on actual losses.
Earlier, Pawar raised concerns regarding standing crops, drinking water shortages, and fodder scarcity for livestock. He noted: “Due to the failure of rains across most parts of the state this year, the farming community is facing a massive crisis. Standing crops such as soybean, cotton, pearl millet (bajra), maize, pigeon pea (tur), green gram (moong), and black gram (udid) have withered, compounded by increased pest infestations. Consequently, the situation regarding agriculture, drinking water, and fodder supply is set to worsen.”
He demanded an immediate declaration of drought, bypassing formal procedural norms; identification of the worst-hit talukas as drought-affected; and implementation of relief measures without delay. Pawar also sought financial aid of at least Rs 50,000 per hectare to affected farmers, a special assistance package of Rs 25,000 to landless farm-labour households, and immediate implementation of a farm loan waiver to ensure fresh crop credit.
Pointing out the ground reality, Pawar emphasised that deficient rainfall has severely impacted crops across Marathwada and other parts of the state, leaving farmers in distress.
--IANS
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