Maharashtra seeks about Rs 31,000 crore from Centre for drought-hit farmers

The Maharashtra government has sought about Rs 31,000 crore in financial assistance from the Centre to compensate farmers in the state hit by drought. The proposal was submitted on Saturday.

The proposal was sent after a comprehensive assessment, which found crop losses of more than 33 per cent on 1.4150 crore hectares of farmland in drought-affected areas.

The assessment covered 37,496 villages in 304 drought-hit talukas. A total of 1.66 crore hectares is under cultivation in these areas.

Last month, after reviewing ground conditions and assessing the impact on farming, the state government declared drought in 304 of Maharashtra's 358 talukas.

An official of the Relief and Rehabilitation Department said an assessment of crop losses is a prerequisite for sending the Centre a proposal for financial assistance. "The assessment is now complete. According to the report, crops on 1.4150 crore hectares of kharif land have suffered losses of more than 33 per cent. A proposal seeking about Rs 31,000 crore in financial assistance from the Centre has been sent," the official said.

Under the current relief norms, farmers who lose 33 per cent or more of their crop are entitled to 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 sending an advance of Rs 5,000 to farmers in the 304 drought-hit talukas. The aim is to get the amount into beneficiaries' bank accounts before Diwali.

Earlier this week, the state cabinet approved advance payments to about 1.5 crore farmers. The cabinet had also decided that the proposal seeking a larger relief package from the Centre should be submitted by October 31.

Vineeta 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 preparing a separate request for funds to support farmers in the rabi season. The aim of this assistance is to help farmers bear the financial burden of the current drought and prepare for the next sowing. The government fears that successive droughts could affect farmers' next crop cycle.