Sharad Pawar writes to Fadnavis, drought survey to begin after October 5
Pawar seeks drought declaration and immediate farmer relief; Fadnavis says the state will help first and recover costs from NDRF later
A prolonged break in rainfall across several parts of Maharashtra has put kharif crops at risk. Senior leader Sharad Pawar has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis over the situation, seeking a drought declaration along with immediate relief measures for farmers. In his letter, Pawar has raised several demands concerning the current condition of farmers and rural areas.
Pawar has demanded financial assistance for farmers, loan waivers, crop insurance and other measures. He wrote that the lack of rainfall has affected crops including soybean, cotton, bajra, maize, tur, moong and urad.
Responding to Pawar's letter, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has clarified the government's position. He said the government has already begun preparations to help people affected by the drought and natural calamity.
According to Fadnavis, a panchnama of the drought situation will be conducted after October 5, and based on that, the process of sending a proposal to the central government for assistance under the NDRF will begin.
However, the government has said it will not delay helping farmers while waiting for central assistance. Fadnavis clarified that the state government will first provide help from its own funds, and the expenditure will later be recovered from the money received from the NDRF.
Besides providing financial assistance to drought-affected farmers, the government is also planning arrangements for drinking water and fodder in areas that need it. Fadnavis said the government is taking the rainfall situation in the state and its impact on farming seriously.
Meanwhile, in his letter, Pawar has also demanded immediate help for drought-affected areas along with proper implementation of loan waivers and the crop insurance scheme. He has also demanded assistance of at least Rs 50,000 per hectare for farmers.
Fadnavis said the suggestions in the letter would be considered without giving it a political colour, and that any further suggestions from Pawar would also be heard.
A political debate between the ruling side and the opposition over the drought situation in Maharashtra has meanwhile intensified, though attention remains on when and how much help farmers will actually receive.
