Maharashtra Declares 304 Talukas Drought-Affected, Announces Relief Measures

Mumbai, October 14 (Daily Kiran) : The Maharashtra government has taken a significant step to assist farmers facing a severe agricultural crisis by declaring 304 talukas across the state as drought-affected. This decision, made on Wednesday, follows a significant shortfall in rainfall during the Kharif season. The state administration has swiftly initiated relief measures and financial assistance.

Makrand Jadhav Patil, the state’s Minister of Relief and Rehabilitation, announced that district collectors have been instructed to commence a comprehensive assessment of crop losses, known as ‘Panchanama’, in the affected areas. This will ensure timely compensation for the farmers impacted by the drought.

Previously, on September 26, the government had declared 265 talukas as drought-affected under the ‘Trigger-1’ guidelines. However, after a thorough review of the ongoing low rainfall and ground-level agricultural conditions, an additional 39 talukas were included under ‘Trigger-1’ and ‘Trigger-2’ criteria, raising the total to 304.

To alleviate the economic burden on farmers, agricultural laborers, and rural families in the declared areas, the state government has introduced 12 major relief and welfare measures. These include complete waivers on land rents for farmers in affected talukas, extended repayment deadlines for agricultural loans, and a temporary halt on aggressive loan recovery by financial institutions. Additionally, the government has announced significant relief on existing electricity bills for agricultural pumps and waived examination fees for students from struggling families.

The state has also committed to ensuring that electricity to agricultural pumps in drought-affected areas is not cut off. Moreover, the government aims to expedite job creation under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act by relaxing its regulations. Water tankers will be sent to villages facing severe water shortages.

The administration has guaranteed the distribution of essential grains to farmers and provisions for animal feed to protect livestock. District officials have been urged to implement these relief measures urgently to ensure no affected farmer or rural resident is left helpless during this crisis.

Additionally, the Maharashtra Cabinet announced a relief package on Wednesday, including an advance payment of 5,000 rupees to farmers before Diwali. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis chaired a high-level cabinet meeting to address the escalating drought conditions, which included Deputy Chief Ministers Sunetra Pawar and Eknath Shinde, along with key members of the state council.

Fadnavis informed reporters that every affected farmer would receive the advance payment directly into their bank accounts before Diwali. The government has also finalized a list of 350,000 farmers for a loan waiver scheme, with processes currently underway. In Marathwada, groundwater levels have plummeted by over three meters.

To prevent mismanagement, adequately equipped water tankers with GPS tracking will be deployed. Fadnavis noted that more than 16,000 illegal water connections have already been severed. The waiver of educational fees has been fully implemented, and banks and microfinance institutions have been instructed not to engage in aggressive loan recovery or bill collections.