Fadnavis briefs Central drought team, says drinking water for people and livestock is top priority
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the Central team that dam storage is falling, crops are hit and drinking water will get the highest priority during the drought.
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Drought-like conditions have developed in the state this year. The rain did not come as expected, causing heavy losses to farming. Many areas are facing water shortage, and the yield of crops such as cotton, soybean and tur has been badly hit.
A Central team has arrived in Maharashtra to assess the situation. For the past few days the team has been travelling through different parts of the state to see conditions on the ground. On Sunday, October 11, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a meeting with the team.
The meeting was attended by the head of the Central drought assessment team, Union Joint Secretary Muktanand Agrawal, and the other members of the team. Ministers Girish Mahajan, Dattatraya Bharane and Makarand Patil also took part. The intensity of the drought, farm losses and water shortage were discussed.
The Chief Minister drew the team's attention to the steady fall in water storage in the state's dams and to the worsening question of drinking water for animals. He said cotton and soybean production has fallen and the tur crop has also been hit.
Mr. Fadnavis said the state is facing a major agrarian crisis and there is a fear that the coming rabi season will also be affected. It is therefore essential to give farmers and farm labourers every kind of help. He also said the ordinary farmer and farm labourer would be at the centre while planning relief. The Chief Minister also thanked the Central team for touring different areas to see the situation.
The Chief Minister said drinking water will get the highest priority during the drought. The state government will plan to provide adequate water for animals as well as citizens. He also said water has been reserved.
A preliminary memorandum has been submitted to the Central team and the final report will be presented soon. Farmers are now watching how much financial assistance the state receives after the team's report. Protecting agriculture, water supply and livestock will be major challenges for the state in tackling the drought.
