No Raigad taluka in revised drought list, paddy farmers angry over crop loss

The revised list of drought-hit talukas that the state government has issued afresh does not include the name of a single taluka from Raigad district. Farmers in the district have expressed strong anger over this. Farmers claim that the lack of rain has caused heavy damage to the paddy crop. Despite this, the district is alleged to have been kept out of drought relief. Farmers feel the Mahayuti government has betrayed them.

The revised list, issued ahead of the Cabinet meeting, covers a total of 40 talukas in 12 districts of the state. Seven talukas each from Sangli and Gondia districts are on the list. Satara district has five talukas. Three talukas each from Chandrapur, Nashik, Palghar and Ratnagiri districts have been included.

Notably, the Lanja, Mandangad and Khed talukas of neighbouring Ratnagiri district have made it to the drought list, but no taluka of Raigad district is on it. This has further fuelled the anger of the district's farmers.

With Diwali near, paddy that was almost ready for harvest in many areas has been ruined for want of rain. The kharif yield has fallen and there is uncertainty over the next season as well. Farmers now face the big challenge of feeding their families.

In the first list issued earlier, only Shrivardhan taluka was included from Raigad district. Drought-like conditions were later reported in several parts of the district, including Karjat, Mahad, Poladpur, Mangaon, Roha, Alibag, Pen and Panvel. The demand to add these talukas to the drought list had been growing.

The long gap in rainfall has dealt a heavy blow to paddy cultivation in the district, and farmers are in financial distress. It had been expected that Raigad's talukas would be added in the next list, but the new list again left the district out. Farmers' hopes have been dashed, and they are now demanding that drought relief be extended to Raigad.