Guardian Minister Indranil Naik visits drought-hit farms in Amgaon tehsil, hears farmers' grievances

Gondia, 22nd: Guardian Minister Indranil Naik visited the drought-hit areas of Amgaon tehsil to see for himself the hardships farmers are facing because of the drought and to hear them out. He said the government stands firmly with the farmers.

During the tour of the fields, farmers told the Guardian Minister of several problems. They said they were facing difficulties with crop surveys, panchnamas (damage assessment reports) and funds due under various schemes. It was also said that crop surveys were not being carried out on time, which was hurting farmers who had suffered losses. Farmers also complained that they had not received money for privately provided assistance and for work done under NREGA.

Zilla Parishad Vice-President Suresh Harshe raised the farmers' problems before the Guardian Minister. He said that, in view of the drought, farmers who had suffered losses should get help on time, crop surveys and panchnamas should be completed, and necessary action should be taken on the funds that are stuck.

Panchnamas have been completed for 2,150 hectares in Amgaon tehsil. According to information from the Tehsil Agriculture Officer, Amgaon, the tehsil has a total of 20,570.35 hectares of farmland, of which panchnamas for 2,150 hectares have been completed so far.

Among the areas where panchnamas have been done, the area with 33 to 50 per cent loss is 355 hectares. The area with more than 50 per cent loss has not yet been entered.

During the tour, Mr Naik spoke to farmers and learnt of their difficulties. The hope was expressed that, given the plight of farmers who have suffered losses, the departments concerned would speed up crop surveys, panchnamas and the necessary assistance. MLA Rajkumar Badole was present. Deori Sub-Divisional Officer Kavita Gaikwad, District Agriculture Superintendent Nilesh Kanwade, Tehsildar Monika Kamble and officials of the departments concerned were also present.

During the drought-area tour, the field of Chhaganlal Lokchand Rahangdale, a farmer from Bamni village in Amgaon tehsil, was inspected. A 0.66-hectare area of the field was assessed for drought conditions. The field is about 5 km from the Amgaon-Deori road.

It was stressed that the administration should work with sensitivity and speed, taking first-hand information on the difficulties farmers face in a drought and taking the necessary measures.