Former minister Bala Bhegade inspects drought-hit farms at Ghonshet in Maval

With drought-like conditions developing in Maval taluka, former Minister of State Bala Bhegade visited farms at Ghonshet on Wednesday, October 28, to inspect the situation. He spoke to farmers and asked them how much damage the crops had suffered, how acute the water shortage was and what difficulties it had caused.

In some parts of the taluka, standing crops are under threat for want of water. For lack of rain, there is a risk that the crops will wither. Paddy fields are suffering heavy losses for want of water, and farmers may face a financial crisis. Farmers say they fear that crops raised with great effort will go to waste.

Because of the inadequate rain, paddy that is at the stage of ear formation has begun to dry up. Farmers are anxious that the heavy expenditure on seed, fertiliser and tilling will be wasted. To give relief to distressed farmers, they have demanded that the administration promptly carry out panchnamas of the damage and announce financial assistance. There is also an expectation that the government will take urgent measures and provide financial help to the affected farmers.

Bhegade said he is following up so that drought-hit farmers in Maval taluka receive help from the government at the earliest. He also said he is making efforts to carry farmers' difficulties to the government and secure the assistance they need.

Saying that farmers are an important pillar of the rural economy, Bhegade said it is necessary to give them relief in the present time of crisis. He appealed to farmers not to lose heart and to remain patient. He assured them that he would keep working till the end on their issues and to secure the help due to them.

Meanwhile, given the seriousness of the drought in Maval taluka, farmers are watching to see what measures the administration takes to survey the affected areas, assess crop losses and secure government assistance for them.

Paddy crops are drying up for want of water, and farmers in Maval taluka are in distress. After the inspection at Ghonshet, they are waiting to see when the panchnamas are done and financial aid arrives.