Mungantiwar meets Chandrapur Collector, seeks round-the-clock power for farmers to fight drought

Chandrapur: As the drought crisis deepens, MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar said protecting farmers' crops, relieving their families of financial distress and meeting the need for drinking water in villages must be the top priority. He said the administration should not make plans only on paper but show work on the ground.

Seeking steps to deal with drought-like conditions in the Ballarpur assembly constituency, Mungantiwar met the District Collector with a delegation and submitted a memorandum. He directed that, in view of the possible impact of El Nino, preventive measures be taken before the water shortage worsens, that farmers get the facilities they need to save their crops, and that every department complete its responsibilities within a fixed time.

Additional Collector Dr Nitin Vyavahare, Executive Engineer (Water Conservation) Nilima Mandpe, District Superintending Agriculture Officer Shankar Totawar, Rural Drinking Water Supply Department Executive Engineer Sumit Belpatre and Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran Executive Engineer Sanjay Ashtagi were among the officials present.

Mungantiwar said Chandrapur is a power-producing district and it is not right that its farmers have difficulty getting enough electricity for irrigation. According to him, the paddy crop is in its final stage and badly needs water. He therefore asked that uninterrupted 24-hour power be given for irrigation for the next few days. He demanded that a separate policy for 24-hour power to farmers be framed and a decision taken within three days. He also said power connections to farm pumps should not be cut, and that action be taken against those responsible if this is found to have happened.

He said it is essential to hold back available water and increase storage by making effective use of the water conservation works done under the Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan. He told the water conservation department to carry out water-retention work at necessary places within the next four days, deepen drains as required and build earthen dams, prepare a complete map of the area's water conservation works, and arrange skilled staff to prepare detailed project reports (DPRs).

On drinking water, Mungantiwar said a meeting should be called immediately within the next seven days and details presented of how many water tankers have been supplied in the Ballarpur assembly area. Necessary action should be taken to complete work under way under the Jal Jeevan Mission in seven months. Underlining that drinking water for animals is an equally important question, he asked for a separate plan for every village in the area. According to him, water tanks should be built if needed, solar-powered pumps installed, and work started immediately after deciding how many tanks are required.

He said that in Bamni in Ballarpur tehsil there is only one rain gauge. While preparing the drought report, rainfall records must be accurate and reflect reality so that no injustice is done to farmers. He asked the District Superintending Agriculture Officer to take particular care and take the necessary action to get Ballarpur tehsil included in the drought report.

Mungantiwar said that despite advance knowledge of El Nino's likely impact, water storage is falling, and delay in preventive measures is a serious matter. Rather than taking action against farmers who lift river water for irrigation, the administration should take a positive approach in view of their needs and take necessary steps to save crops. Information has been sought on whether committees for drought prevention have been formed as per state government instructions. If formed, the number of meetings held so far and their details should be presented. He also directed that a meeting be held every Monday to review the measures regularly.

Halt on loan recovery, waiver of exam fees sought: Mungantiwar said the blow of drought is not confined to farming; the entire farm family suffers. He therefore asked that recovery of farm-related loans be stopped and lump-sum recovery not be made from farmers. He said necessary information should be gathered on waiving school and college examination fees for children of farmers caught in financial hardship. There should be clarity on the necessary relaxation in the rules of the employment guarantee scheme so that people in drought-affected areas can get work. He also directed that the Food and Civil Supplies Department's arrangements be reviewed and necessary steps taken so that farmer and farm labourer families do not face a shortage of grain.

Fodder for livestock and free maize seed: Mungantiwar said protecting livestock is also important during drought. He demanded that tehsil-wise livestock figures for the district be collected and a meeting of the animal husbandry department called to review fodder availability and likely shortfall. He also demanded that seed availability be ensured to raise fodder production, and that free maize seed be arranged, through the agriculture department, for farmers who register with gram panchayats.

Study of alternative crops and financial support for fishermen: He asked the agriculture department to study whether alternative crops can give farmers a source of income during drought. The possibility of growing mustard and linseed in the rabi season should be examined. He directed that a detailed report be prepared on whether this can be done, especially in paddy-growing villages such as Manora, Itoli and Kawadjai in Pombhurna and Mul tehsils, how much it would cost and how much help farmers would get. He also asked that a detailed plan be made to meet fishermen's cost of buying fish seed from the district annual plan.

The next meeting to review drought prevention measures will be held on October 21. It will review the action taken by various departments and focus on speeding up measures that give relief to farmers, farm labourers, livestock keepers and ordinary citizens.