Maharashtra Declares 40 More Talukas Drought-Hit, Announces ₹5,000 Farmer Aid

The Maharashtra government has moved to put drought relief directly into farmers’ bank accounts ahead of Diwali, while extending the drought-hit list by 40 more talukas. The advance relief amount of ₹5,000 will be deposited in the bank accounts of farmers, the government said.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the decision on Wednesday and said the drought measures would apply across all the regions that have been declared drought-hit. “More 40 regions are added, the drought measures will be implemented in all announced drought regions,” he said.

Drought-hit list rises to 305 talukas

The government had earlier declared 265 talukas drought-hit. With the addition of 40 more talukas, the total number of drought-hit talukas has risen to 305.

Trigger 1 and Trigger 2 have been applied in these talukas, making them eligible for assistance under the Centre’s National Disaster Response Fund guidelines. The application of the two triggers provides the basis for extending the relief measures listed by the government to the affected talukas.

The relief package includes a complete waiver of examination fees for students in drought-hit talukas, without any eligibility criteria. The government has also included a waiver of examination fees for school and college students among its drought-related measures.

Fadnavis warned cooperative societies, district banks, nationalised banks and microfinance companies against pressuring farmers to recover loans. The warning comes alongside measures for restructuring crop loans and putting a stay on the recovery of agriculture-related loans.

Twelve measures planned for farmers

Minister of State for Relief and Rehabilitation Makrand Jadhav Patil said the government had decided to implement 12 measures to provide relief to farmers. These measures include exemption from land revenue and restructuring of crop loans.

The package also provides for a stay on the recovery of agriculture-related loans. Farmers will also receive exemption from current electricity bills for agricultural pumps under the measures announced for drought-hit areas.

The government will purchase fodder cultivated by farmers at a guaranteed price, with the stated aim of making fodder available for animals. Fadnavis outlined this as part of the government’s fodder policy.

The measures therefore cover farm-related costs, loan recovery, electricity bills and examination fees, along with the planned assistance for fodder. The government’s stated relief plan combines direct financial assistance with exemptions and administrative measures for the affected areas.

Water supply measures to be prioritised

Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule reiterated that tankers should be used only as a last resort to address water scarcity. He directed officials to restart water supply schemes that had been shut down because of pending electricity bills or a lack of transformers.

Bawankule chairs the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Drought and has sought proposals from District Collectors for district-wise measures within 15 days. He also called for wells where water is available to be acquired before the drinking water situation becomes critical.

“Before the drinking water situation becomes critical, wells where water is available should be acquired to overcome water scarcity,” he said. Water supply schemes that are 75 to 80 percent complete are to be completed on priority.

The Tanker App and GPS system should also be started to ensure proper and smooth water supply, Bawankule said. He urged the districts concerned to use funds available under the Fifteenth Finance Commission to clear pending electricity bills.

Other districts were directed to take steps to clear their dues under the one-time settlement scheme. The instructions link the restart and completion of water supply schemes with steps to address unpaid electricity bills and missing transformers.

Pune to suspend water supply every Thursday

Meanwhile, the Pune Municipal Corporation has decided to suspend water supply across the city every Thursday from October 15. It will also prohibit the use of drinking water for construction.

The civic body has further decided to initiate the closure of vehicle-washing centres until the next monsoon. The measures are intended to manage available water storage as the State faces lower rainfall and a possible drought-like situation.

“The State has received less rainfall due to the El Niño effect and as the El Niño effect is expected to continue till next year, it is necessary to manage the available water storage economically and in a very well-planned manner,” the PMC said in a statement.

The PMC’s decision follows a Government Resolution issued by the State Water Resources Department on October 6. The resolution directed micro-planning of available water storage in dams across the State, based on availability and usage.

It also called for measures to secure drinking water supplies and mitigate the impact of a possible drought-like situation. Together with the drought declaration and relief package, the water-management directions set out measures for farmers, students, livestock and drinking-water supply.

Source: The Hindu