Crop loss surveys to begin from Oct 5; govt will stand firmly with farmers: Fadnavis

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Sep 17 (PTI) The Maharashtra government will conduct crop loss surveys after October 5, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Thursday, assuring farmers that the state would provide financial assistance from its own sources while awaiting aid from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

He was speaking to the media after attending the flag-hoisting ceremony at Siddharth Garden in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on the occasion of ‘Hyderabad Muktisangram Din’, also known as ‘Marathwada Liberation Day’. He paid tribute to those who fought for the liberation of the erstwhile Hyderabad State.

India gained independence on August 15, 1947, but the Marathwada region in central Maharashtra was liberated from the Nizam’s rule 13 months later.

Fadnavis said the government had already begun preparations for the crop loss surveys, which would be conducted after October 5 in accordance with the rules.

Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule had said on Monday that a drought-like situation had developed in 18 districts of the state due to inadequate rainfall. He said nearly half of Maharashtra’s farmers were currently facing a drought-like situation.

“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,” Fadnavis said.

The CM said the eight-district Marathwada region has been facing development challenges for years and that it was now facing 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, went without rain for 80 days, potentially resulting in crop losses of 80 per cent to 85 per cent.

The lack of rain has caused severe moisture stress during the crucial stages of flowering and pod formation, affecting the development and filling of grains, the district collectorate said in the report. Amid the dire situation, farmers are feeding dried plants from their fields to cattle, it said.

The CM also announced that pending electricity bills worth Rs 48,000 crore owed by farmers would be waived.

“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,” Fadnavis said.

Speaking about the Hyderabad Muktisangram Din celebrations and the region’s history, Fadnavis said this year 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.

Fadnavis 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.

The chief minister said that 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.

“The water pipeline scheme for Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is also in its final stages, and we are moving towards supplying water daily,” he added.

Fadnavis said the state government would acquire an additional 8,000 acres of land for industrial development in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, where the DMIC (Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor) cluster and industrial zones are among the 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.

Fadnavis also announced plans to construct Maharashtra’s largest elevated road in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to address traffic congestion in the city.

“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.

He said, ‘‘Dry port in Jalna will play a key role in importing parts and exporting vehicles from here. Provision of Rs 3500 crore has been made to expand the roads connecting industrial zones like Shendra, Bidkin and Dhoregaon.” PTI AW NR

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