Pawar had earlier demanded financial assistance of Rs 50,000 per hectare for farmers affected by the drought, citing extensive damage to kharif crops due to inadequate rainfall. During his visit, he will assess the condition of crops, availability of water, the situation regarding fodder and water for livestock, and the difficulties being faced by farmers.
Amid demands for the immediate declaration of a drought in the state to provide relief to farmers worried over the rainfall deficit, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will take a decision on declaring a drought after October 5, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Patil said on Monday.
Former state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh has alleged that a dry drought-like situation has developed, particularly in Vidarbha and Marathwada, due to inadequate rainfall. He alleged that the government was delaying assistance in the name of rules, conditions and criteria.
“The crops in the fields have dried up, and even if it rains now, there is little possibility of getting a crop. Therefore, the crisis-hit farmers should be given a blanket assistance of Rs 50,000 per hectare immediately,” Deshmukh said.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed all departments in the state to review the drought-like situation and collect the necessary information. Accordingly, Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane on Monday directed the Fisheries Department to immediately complete preparations required for conducting panchnamas in potentially affected areas.
Rane also directed officials to physically inspect all ponds, reservoirs and fish farming locations within their jurisdiction and collect objective information.
Congress state president Harshvardhan Sapkal said the state was facing a serious drought situation and that the condition of farmers had become extremely difficult. “The crops in the fields have been burnt, and whatever crops are left have been completely ruined; therefore, farmers are ploughing them under. The government is merely going through paperwork. I have prayed to Ganpati Bappa to give this government the wisdom to provide assistance to farmers,” Sapkal said.
With crop damage, water availability, livestock needs and the question of immediate financial assistance emerging as key concerns, Pawar’s September 28 field visit will focus on assessing the situation on the ground and hearing directly from farmers as the state government continues its drought assessment process.
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