Barring five districts —Mumbai, Mumbai Suburban District, Thane, Dhule and Gadchiroli — all the districts in Maharashtra are facing a drought-like situation. The Maharashtra government on Tuesday declared 31 out of 36 districts in the state are drought hit. These talukas were identified on the basis of norms laid down by the Centre, said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The situation has arisen as the state received only 77 per cent of its average rainfall this year, he added. Announcing drought-like situation in 180 talukas of the state, Fadnavis said that his government will assist the affected farmers, including providing concessions in land revenue, irrigation pumps, waiver of power bills and educational fees, continuous power supply, and also ensure availability of tankers for drinking water in these talukas. Fadnavis also said that a central government team will visit the drought-hit regions soon make its own assessment and declare assistance. Speaking to media, Fadnavis said that these tehsils were selected after following scientific norms set by the Government of India; various mitigation measures will be implemented in these villages after verifying the ground situation by the central team. Stating that at present there is no need to start fodder camps for cattle, Fadnavis informed that the instructions have been passed to revenue machinery to start fodder camps when required. Fadnavis informed that there are a few Talukas which do not qualify for announcing drought-like situation but the farmers are severy hit due to crop damage owing to inadequate rains and inadequate water. Crop insurance benefits would be extended to those farmers, he assured. He informed that officials of the power department have been directed against disconnecting the agricultural power pumps of the farmers in these talukas. He said that measures like giving a stay on recovery of agricultural loan, providing revenue tax waiver on land, examination fee waiver for school and college students are being taken in these Talukas. He informed that the criterion for employment guarantee scheme would be relaxed for these Talukas, water tankers are being provided to all these Talukas for drinking water purpose.

RELIEF PROMISED

• Concessions in land revenue
• Farm loan waivers
• Concessions in power bills and continuous power supply
• Examination fee waiver for students
• Availability of tankers for drinking water

Source - https://www.dnaindia.com