The Maharashtra government on Saturday declared drought in 265 of the state’s 358 talukas after prolonged dry spells and rainfall deficits damaged crops across several regions.
The declaration covers nearly three fourths of the state and includes areas in Vidarbha, Marathwada, North Maharashtra and the Pune division. The government resolution was issued on September 26 after the Agriculture Commissioner’s report identified drought like conditions in the affected talukas.
According to the resolution, the affected areas have experienced prolonged dry spells since June and met the first trigger under the state’s drought management framework. This trigger applies when there is a continuous dry spell of at least 21 days during the monsoon.
12 Relief Measures Announced
The drought declaration has activated 12 relief measures for affected areas.
These include restructuring of crop loans, a pause on recovery of farm loans, waiver of land revenue and exemptions from agricultural pump electricity bills. The government has also provided for drinking water, food grains and fodder in drought hit areas.
Other measures include exemptions from school examination fees, relaxed conditions under the rural employment scheme and a direction against disconnecting agricultural electricity pumps.
The government had begun preparing for relief measures earlier this week after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited drought affected districts and reviewed the situation. Fadnavis had said the government would provide assistance while also seeking support under central disaster relief norms.
Crop Loss Survey Before Compensation
District collectors have been directed to conduct panchnamas to assess crop damage in the affected talukas.
Officials will collect photographs and GPS coordinates from the surveyed areas and submit reports on crop conditions to the government through the Agriculture Commissioner.
The assessment will be used to determine crop loss compensation. The government has said a separate decision on compensation will be taken after the assessment process is completed.
The rainfall deficit has been particularly severe in several parts of the state. According to recent data, Maharashtra received 755.9 mm of rainfall between June 1 and September 18, against a normal 932.3 mm, marking an overall deficit of 18.8 percent.
Farmers Seek More Assistance
Farmers’ leader Ajit Navale welcomed the drought declaration but said compensation remained a major concern for affected farmers.
He argued that assistance available through the National Disaster Response Fund may not be sufficient for farmers who have suffered losses over two consecutive kharif seasons. Kisan Sabha has also demanded that the loan waiver announced by the state government be expanded.
