Drought declared in all eight talukas of Dharashiv district

Unseasonal and erratic rain had added to farmers' troubles in Maharashtra, prompting the state government to announce major relief. After touring drought-affected areas, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis declared drought in 265 talukas across the state. "Trigger 1" has been invoked in all these 265 talukas. In all, 265 of Maharashtra's 358 talukas are drought-hit, meaning about 75 percent of the state has been declared drought-affected.

The list includes all eight talukas of Dharashiv district: Dharashiv, Kalamb, Bhum, Washi, Tuljapur, Lohara, Paranda and Umarga. This means the entire district is now in the grip of drought.

Under the government's decision dated September 25, officials have been directed to immediately begin panchnama surveys of crop damage. A range of relief measures have also been announced, including exemption in land revenue, restructuring of crop loans, a halt on recovery of agricultural loans, waiver of electricity bills for farm pumps, exemption in examination fees, expansion of work under the employment guarantee scheme, water supply through tankers, arrangement of fodder for animals and initiation of water conservation works. Financial assistance for crop losses will be announced separately through a government order.

Along with the waiver in land revenue, crop loans will be restructured and recovery of agricultural loans halted. Existing electricity bills for farm pumps will also be waived -- bills for pumps up to 7.5 HP capacity had already been waived, and now pumps above this capacity will also get the exemption.

School and college students will get exemption in examination fees. Drinking water tankers will be sent to areas in need. In villages where water scarcity has been declared, the electricity connections of farmers' agricultural pumps will not be disconnected. Grain will be provided to farmers and agricultural labourers, fodder arrangements will be made for animals, and water conservation works will be taken up on a large scale. Drinking water and animal water supply schemes will continue as per earlier orders.

All district collectors have been ordered to complete the panchnama process immediately. Instructions have also been issued to submit photographs and GPS data showing the condition of crops.

Chief Minister Fadnavis had toured and inspected the drought-affected areas over two days. During the visit, he spoke with several farmers and assured them that the government would decide keeping their interests and needs in mind. He followed this up by issuing the drought order, fulfilling his promise of major relief to farmers.