Drought declaration has reassured farmers, says Sanjay Shirsat

The drought declared today by the Maharashtra government and the Mahayuti alliance is being praised from all quarters, and people are thanking the government for it, minister Sanjay Shirsat said, speaking in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. He said the chief minister and deputy chief minister saw the real extent of the drought during their tours of the affected areas.

Shirsat clarified that some people expected panchnama surveys to be conducted after the 5th before any drought declaration, but the government did not wait for that and declared drought in 265 talukas. He said the declaration includes all the measures farmers need.

Shirsat said many people are asking why only 265 talukas were covered. He said some areas, such as parts of western Maharashtra, parts of Konkan and parts of Marathwada, are not facing drought conditions. However, he said Vidarbha and Marathwada have borne the brunt of the drought, and some remaining parts of Khandesh have also been affected. He said the government therefore announced the decision immediately to give farmers relief.

He said a cabinet meeting will take a detailed decision on how much assistance will be given per acre, with all ministers expected to agree on the decision on Tuesday. "I too congratulate the government," Shirsat said, adding that the Sharad Pawar faction has also welcomed the decision. He said that instead of politicising the drought, anyone fighting for farmers, whether from the opposition or the ruling side, should keep farmers' welfare in mind, and focus on how farmers can be helped rather than opposing for the sake of opposing.

Shirsat said the drought declaration will bring in a range of measures, from relief for students to waiver of electricity bills. He said drought relief covers more than just crop losses, with other measures included so that farmers get complete relief. He said the government took this historic decision without delay.

Shirsat said Marathwada will certainly get relief from this, as farmers in the region have been badly affected. He said a list of the talukas where drought has been declared will be released today, which will show the public the severity of conditions there.