After loan waiver, direct drought aid for Maharashtra farmers from Friday

Drought has badly hit crops across Maharashtra. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis personally toured several affected areas so that farmers could get relief as soon as possible. After inspecting the drought-hit area in Washim, he held an urgent meeting with senior officials at Amravati airport. During the meeting, the chief minister announced that the order for aid to be given under "Trigger-1" of the drought code would be issued on Friday itself.

All districts of the Amravati division have been hit by drought, putting crops in crisis. This is why Fadnavis toured the region, to ensure relief reaches farmers. He said clearly that so farmers get help immediately, the order for aid under Trigger-1 would be issued the very next day.

After touring the drought-affected area of Washim, Fadnavis held discussions at Amravati airport with divisional commissioner Nayana Gunde, collector Ashish Yerekar and Washim collector Yogesh Kumbhejkar. He then spoke to the media. Fadnavis said the state government would not wait for central assistance to help farmers, and relief would be given immediately. At the same time, the necessary panchnama process to secure central assistance would be completed and a proposal for aid sent.

He said it was necessary to issue the aid order for farmers immediately, since drought is widespread across all areas, and relief would be provided. Given the expected shortage of fodder and water ahead, measures would have to be taken, along with grain assistance. Direct aid would be given so that farmers' children's education is not disrupted.

The chief minister said that in the rabi season, wherever water is available, the possibility of sowing crops would be examined, and farmers would be helped to take a rabi crop. To provide employment, emphasis would be placed on water conservation works. Since water sources have dried up, silt will be removed from them, "jalatara" structures will be built, and ponds needing repair will be identified and repaired.

Since crop conditions are similar across the state, the state government has framed a relief policy. Plans will be made to ensure this aid reaches farmers before Diwali. The state government has already carried out a loan waiver, and the waived amount is being credited to farmers' accounts. Farmers whose loans have been waived will have to be given fresh loans by banks as per rules. In addition, farmers' crops will be purchased at the government rate, for which registration will begin soon.

Fadnavis also said that a report on the fire at the district government hospital would be made public.