Maharashtra seeks about Rs 31,000 crore from Centre as drought relief for farmers

The Maharashtra government has asked the Centre for about Rs 31,000 crore in financial assistance to compensate farmers affected by drought. Crops have been damaged by more than 33 per cent on 1.415 crore hectares of farmland in the drought-hit areas. The proposal was submitted on Saturday after a comprehensive survey.

The survey covered 37,496 villages in 304 drought-affected talukas. These areas have a total of 1.66 crore hectares of farmland, of which 1.415 crore hectares have suffered crop damage of more than 33 per cent.

Last month, the state government reviewed conditions on the ground and estimated the impact on agriculture. Drought was then declared in 304 of Maharashtra's 358 talukas. An official of the Relief and Rehabilitation Department said an assessment of crop loss is a mandatory condition for submitting a proposal for financial assistance to the Centre.

An official said: "The assessment is now complete. According to the report, crops have been damaged by more than 33 per cent on 1.415 crore hectares of kharif land." An official also said a proposal seeking about Rs 31,000 crore in financial assistance had been sent to the Centre.

Under the existing relief norms, farmers whose crops have suffered 33 per cent or more damage are eligible for financial assistance. The fixed compensation is Rs 8,500 per hectare for rain-fed crops, Rs 17,000 per hectare for crops in assured irrigated areas and Rs 22,500 per hectare for perennial crops.

Meanwhile, the state government has begun transferring advance assistance of Rs 5,000 to farmers in the 304 drought-hit talukas. The aim is for the money to reach beneficiaries' bank accounts before Diwali.

Earlier this week, the state Cabinet approved advance payment to about 1.5 crore farmers. The Cabinet had also decided that a proposal seeking a large relief package from the Centre would be submitted by October 31.

Vinita Ved Singhal, Additional Chief Secretary of the Relief and Rehabilitation Department, confirmed that the proposal has been sent to the Centre. She declined to give further details.

Besides compensation for kharif crop losses, the state government is also preparing a separate demand for funds to help farmers in the rabi season. The demand will be made separately to help farmers prepare for the coming rabi sowing season, since the current drought is likely to affect their next crop cycle. The aid is meant to help farmers manage their financial burden during the drought and prepare for the next sowing cycle.