MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government on Thursday declared “drought-like conditions” in 959 revenue circles where the rainfall was 75% below normal. This announcement comes ten days after the government declared drought in 40 of the state’s 358 talukas.
The 959 revenue circles are located in 178 talukas in the state.
Relief and rehabilitation minister Anil Patil said that all the facilities extended to the drought-hit talukas will also be made available to those facing drought-like conditions.
“We declared drought in 40 talukas as per the Centre’s drought manual. However, we decided to include into drought-like conditions, the revenue circles where the rainfall was 75% below normal and the rainfall was below 750 mm,” said Patil.
The state’s last drought was in 2018 when 151 talukas were affected.
The state government had come under criticism from the Opposition after declaring drought in 40 talukas.
Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar had claimed that 35 of the 40 talukas in which drought had been declared had ruling party MLAs.
“Only five talukas are of Opposition MLAs. It is unfortunate that the government is bringing in politics while declaring drought,” Wadettiwar had said.
In June, the monsoon was delayed by around a fortnight. Then, there was excess rain in July which affected the crops. In August there was a long dry spell which impacted crops in most districts barring the Konkan which received plentiful rain.
Once a drought is declared, the affected talukas are entitled to relief for crop loss as per the National Disaster Relief Fund norms which provide compensation of Rs 8,500 per hectare for irrigated land, Rs 17,000 per hectare for irrigated crops and Rs 22,500 per hectare for horticulture crops.
Impacted farmers will be entitled to relief in land revenue, restructuring of crops loans, an exemption from the payment of agriculture related loans and a 33.5% discount in the payment of bills of agricultural pumps.
Also, electrical connections to agricultural pumps will not be cut off due to non-payment of dues and students will receive a waiver in the payment of exam fees in schools and colleges.
The 959 revenue circles are located in 178 talukas in the state.
Relief and rehabilitation minister Anil Patil said that all the facilities extended to the drought-hit talukas will also be made available to those facing drought-like conditions.
“We declared drought in 40 talukas as per the Centre’s drought manual. However, we decided to include into drought-like conditions, the revenue circles where the rainfall was 75% below normal and the rainfall was below 750 mm,” said Patil.
The state’s last drought was in 2018 when 151 talukas were affected.
The state government had come under criticism from the Opposition after declaring drought in 40 talukas.
Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar had claimed that 35 of the 40 talukas in which drought had been declared had ruling party MLAs.
“Only five talukas are of Opposition MLAs. It is unfortunate that the government is bringing in politics while declaring drought,” Wadettiwar had said.
In June, the monsoon was delayed by around a fortnight. Then, there was excess rain in July which affected the crops. In August there was a long dry spell which impacted crops in most districts barring the Konkan which received plentiful rain.
Once a drought is declared, the affected talukas are entitled to relief for crop loss as per the National Disaster Relief Fund norms which provide compensation of Rs 8,500 per hectare for irrigated land, Rs 17,000 per hectare for irrigated crops and Rs 22,500 per hectare for horticulture crops.
Impacted farmers will be entitled to relief in land revenue, restructuring of crops loans, an exemption from the payment of agriculture related loans and a 33.5% discount in the payment of bills of agricultural pumps.
Also, electrical connections to agricultural pumps will not be cut off due to non-payment of dues and students will receive a waiver in the payment of exam fees in schools and colleges.
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