Fadnavis, Shinde Tour Drought-Hit Districts as State Prepares Relief GR
CM Devendra Fadnavis toured Latur and Dharashiv while Deputy CM Eknath Shinde visited Akola, as the State prepares a drought relief resolution.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis toured drought-affected parts of Latur and Dharashiv districts on Wednesday, even as Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde assessed conditions in Akola district, with both leaders signalling that relief measures are imminent.
During his visit to Nilanga taluka in Latur, a farmer broke down in the Chief Minister's presence, saying there was no water and that losses had been severe. Mr. Fadnavis assured him that a drought government resolution would be issued within two days, covering assistance for rabi crops along with arrangements for drinking water, cattle fodder and food grains.
The Chief Minister said Latur was the worst-affected district this year, receiving roughly half its normal rainfall, compared with 65% to 70% last year, which had caused crop losses.
In Akola, Mr. Shinde said there was no alternative but to declare a drought given the ground situation. Recalling that farmers had suffered heavy losses last year due to excess rain, he said he would stand by them again and that farmers had a rightful claim on the State treasury.
State government data shows Maharashtra currently has a 17% rainfall deficit, having recorded 787.2 mm against a normal of 953.2 mm. Several parts of Marathwada, including Latur, have received less than half their usual rainfall, with the shortfall attributed to El Niño.
The visits follow Mr. Fadnavis's announcement on Tuesday of a subcommittee to handle the drought issue, to be chaired by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, alongside a commitment to issue a drought resolution by Saturday.
Opposition leader Rohit Pawar, who has been leading a protest demanding a drought declaration, said it was heart-wrenching to see a farmer break down before the Chief Minister. He reiterated demands for ₹50,000 per hectare for farmers and ₹25,000 per family for agricultural labourers, adding that he had witnessed similar distress over the past eight to ten days in Vidarbha and Marathwada.
NCP-SP MP Supriya Sule credited party supremo Sharad Pawar for writing to Mr. Fadnavis on the issue, saying action followed only after he raised it with the government.