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Maharashtra to survey crop losses next month, give aid to drought-hit farmers
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said his government will start crop loss surveys after October 5 and release state aid to farmers before NDRF relief arrives. The announcement comes as drought-like conditions deepen across Marathwada.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said the state government will carry out crop loss surveys after October 5 and provide financial help to farmers from its own funds while it waits for support from the National Disaster Response Fund.
He said the government had already begun preparations for the surveys as large parts of the state face a drought-like situation due to inadequate rainfall.
Speaking after attending the flag-hoisting ceremony for Hyderabad Muktisangram Din in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Fadnavis also announced a waiver of pending farm electricity bills worth Rs 48,000 crore and outlined plans linked to water supply, industrial expansion and road infrastructure in the Marathwada region.
Fadnavis said Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule had already flagged a drought-like situation in 18 districts, with nearly half of Maharashtra's farmers affected.
"I assure farmers that the government will stand firmly with them during this crucial time. We will provide all possible assistance. We have to conduct the panchanama (crop loss assessment) after October 5 as per the rules, but we have already begun preparations. Farmers will receive assistance from the NDRF, but before that, the government will provide aid from its own funds," he said.
He said the eight-district Marathwada region had faced development challenges for years and was now going through a drought year. "Earlier, we thought the crops would grow well this year. However, the lack of rainfall has resulted in crop losses, and farmers are in distress," he said.
According to a government report, Dharashiv district, formerly known as Osmanabad, did not receive rain for 80 days, which could lead to crop losses of 80 per cent to 85 per cent.
The district collectorate said the lack of rain had caused severe moisture stress during the key flowering and pod formation stages, affecting grain development and grain filling. It also said farmers were feeding dried plants from their fields to cattle.
Fadnavis said the government had made arrangements to deal with possible shortages of fodder and drinking water.
"There is a possibility of fodder and drinking water shortages, but the government has made the necessary arrangements to address these issues. Marathwada has the largest number of beneficiaries under the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar loan waiver scheme. The government is providing free electricity to farmers," he said.
At the event, the Chief Minister paid tribute to those who fought for the liberation of the erstwhile Hyderabad State. India became independent on August 15, 1947, but the Marathwada region was freed from the Nizam's rule 13 months later.
Referring to this year's observance, Fadnavis said it marked the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. "Earlier, there were restrictions on singing Vande Mataram, learning Marathi and celebrating festivals. The freedom fighters fought against these restrictions and liberated this region," he said.
He said the next generation in Marathwada would not have to face drought. "We have completed the first phase of bringing water to Marathwada. The flood mitigation project has now been approved by the World Bank, and the tendering process has begun.
This project will make an additional 30 TMC of water available, which will be brought to the Beed, Latur and Dharashiv regions of Marathwada," he said.
Fadnavis said the detailed project report for a river-linking project to bring water from Konkan to the Godavari Valley was in its final stages. "The Godavari Valley is a water-deficit region. We will bring nearly 70 TMC of water to the Godavari Valley. Work will begin soon. The project will take nearly seven years, but we will try to bring water to the region before that," he said.
He added that the water pipeline scheme for Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar was also in its final stages and that the government was moving towards daily water supply.
The chief minister also said the state would acquire an additional 8,000 acres for industrial development in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor cluster and industrial zones are key hubs.
"Companies such as JSW, Toyota and Ather will help make the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar cluster the largest electric vehicle manufacturing hub in the country. Investments are pouring in, and we will acquire an additional 8,000 acres to expand the industrial zones, accommodate new investments and generate employment," he said.
He also announced plans for Maharashtra's largest elevated road in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to ease traffic congestion.
"The dry port in Jalna will play a key role in importing parts and exporting vehicles from here. A provision of Rs 3,500 crore has been made to expand roads connecting industrial zones such as Shendra, Bidkin and Dhoregaon. Maharashtra's largest elevated road will be constructed in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to address the city's traffic problems," he said.