Drought feared in Buldhana, guardian minister bars coercive recovery from farmers

Citing the likelihood of drought in Buldhana district, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister and district guardian minister Makarand Jadhav Patil has given the administration several directions. He said all departments must work with mutual coordination and a sense of responsibility.

The directions were given at an online meeting called to review the possible drought-like situation in the district and measures to deal with it. The guardian minister and the co-guardian minister were present.

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav and MLAs Shweta Mahale, Siddharth Kharat and Manoj Kayande joined online. At the Collector's office, MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, Collector Dr Pravinkumar Deore, Chief Executive Officer Bhalchandra Chavan and Superintendent of Police Nilesh Tambe sat with officials of the water conservation, agriculture, soil and water conservation and animal husbandry departments. Sub-divisional officers and heads of various departments were also present.

Patil said financial aid, concessions and scheme benefits from the government must reach eligible farmers quickly. He also said plans for fodder for livestock, drinking water for people and use of the remaining water stocks for irrigation should be made now.

The meeting also reviewed implementation of the farm loan waiver. It was stated that 1.59 lakh farmers in the district have so far received its benefit. The guardian minister directed that the process for the remaining eligible farmers be completed soon. The departments concerned were told that no eligible farmer should be left out.

So that the financial crisis of farmers does not deepen in the drought, Patil said clearly that no coercive recovery of any kind should be carried out in drought-affected tehsils. The revenue and agriculture departments should work in coordination so that farmers can easily get the government's various concessions. The government has already given farmers an advance aid of Rs 5,000.

The animal husbandry and agriculture departments were asked to start planning now to avoid a possible fodder shortage. Directions were also given to encourage farmers to grow fodder crops and raise fodder production. Necessary steps were to be taken so that adequate fodder remains available for the district's livestock.

The guardian minister asked the forest department to take preventive measures against forest fires. He directed all departments concerned to work in coordination.