Maharashtra set to declare 100 percent drought, says cooperation minister Patil

Maharashtra's government is set to take a major step on drought, with the process to declare 100 percent drought in the state already underway. The information was shared by cooperation minister Babasaheb Patil.

Patil said, "I have never seen such drought in my life. No crop has come in the state this year, soyabean and cotton did not, and even sugarcane is gone. Drought is going to be declared. The government will help as per NDRF norms. Drought will be declared 100 percent."

A break in rainfall over the last one and a half months has left farmers in serious trouble. In most areas, the condition of kharif crops has turned very bad. Due to insufficient rain, soyabean, cotton and sugarcane crops have completely dried up, forcing farmers to consider resowing. In view of this situation, the state government has already invoked drought trigger 1. The opposition too had been continuously demanding that drought be declared, and the government has now given a key update on this.

Kharif crops have dried up in 20 districts of the state due to a shortfall in rainfall. There have been demands that drought be declared and farmers given immediate help. The government has taken steps in this direction and started the process of declaring drought, Patil said.

Rain has failed in several parts of the state, creating drought-like conditions, which is why the process to declare drought has been started. To declare drought, data on the current state of crops, soil moisture and water stock in dams will be examined. A further decision will be taken only after reviewing all these factors.

Revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule had also said a few days ago that drought conditions in the state are serious. He had also said that a proposal would need to be sent to the central government to declare drought, and that the state government would extend whatever help was necessary.

Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar has also taken an aggressive stance on the drought issue. Pawar will visit drought-affected areas of the state on September 28. During the visit, he will assess the situation on the ground and speak with farmers.

A few days ago, Pawar had written to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis demanding that drought be declared in the state. All eyes are now on what decision the state government takes on the drought.