Yavatmal, September 28 (Daily Kiran) : Maharashtra’s government has declared a drought in 75% of the state, but Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule made it clear on Monday that immediate financial assistance for farmers will not be forthcoming. He stated that economic aid would only be provided after a comprehensive report assessing the damage is completed, ensuring that no affected farmer is left out or receives incorrect compensation.
Bawankule, who heads the newly formed cabinet sub-committee on drought relief, explained that rushing financial help without a complete ground report could ultimately harm farmers. “Our goal is to ensure that no eligible farmer is overlooked. Different crops, such as cotton, soybean, turmeric, sugarcane, horticulture, and orange orchards, face varying degrees of damage. Disbursing funds without a proper assessment could lead to erroneous compensation,” he stated. The Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, will officially announce the economic package once the full report is ready.
To streamline the process, the cabinet sub-committee will meet every Tuesday to review the changing situation in the affected districts. Bawankule emphasized that accurate ground-level assessments are crucial under the guidelines of the National Disaster Response Fund.
In response to letters from opposition leaders, including NCP chief Sharad Pawar, demanding immediate drought relief, Bawankule noted that the government has received over 2,000 such letters. He remarked that while opposition leaders are fulfilling their responsibilities by writing letters, the government is not acting solely based on their requests. The Chief Minister has personally visited farms to assess the situation, and a thorough evaluation will be conducted for any talukas that may have been missed in the drought-affected list. He urged political parties not to politicize the crisis and to contribute to relief efforts.
Addressing protests regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list, Bawankule accused the opposition of spreading negativity. He questioned why, after casting doubt on electronic voting machines (EVMs), they are now targeting the SIR process. “What’s wrong with ensuring an accurate voter list?” he asked, claiming that opposition parties have failed to work at the booth level and instead rely on false narratives. In recent elections, voters rejected misinformation, resulting in strong support for the ruling coalition.
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