Drought declared in 265 talukas of Maharashtra, district-wise review meetings within eight days

Faced with drought-like conditions caused by deficient rain in Maharashtra, the state government has begun major preparations to give relief to farmers and tackle the drought. Drought has been declared in 265 talukas of the state.

Employment Guarantee Scheme and Horticulture Minister Bharat Gogawale said in Mumbai that drought had been declared in 265 talukas because of poor rainfall. According to him, the government will stand with the distressed farmers with full strength. He said district-wise meetings would be held over the next eight days to review the measures.

Gogawale said the Centre and the state would contribute funds in a 60:40 ratio to strengthen farmers in dealing with the drought. Rs 4,400 crore from the Centre and Rs 3,300 crore from the state have been made available for this. The government will focus on creating as much employment as possible through individual-benefit schemes and various development works.

Speaking on the rain situation, the minister said, "There has been some rain in Konkan, but serious problems over water and farming have arisen in Vidarbha, Western Maharashtra and Marathwada. The situation in these districts is truly grave, and detailed planning is under way on how to deal with it."

So that village labourers can find work during the drought, several works will be taken up under the Employment Guarantee Scheme. These include desilting ponds and repairing wells. School buildings, cremation grounds and other essential civic works will also be completed. The aim is to create jobs while developing villages in every way. In areas where labourers are not available, machines will be used to speed up the work.

Gogawale said the matter had been discussed in detail with the Chief Minister and both Deputy Chief Ministers, and that the government would help farmers with full strength. He also said the Union Agriculture Minister would soon visit Maharashtra. A special meeting would be held with the minister to seek the maximum possible help from the Centre.

The administration has assured that district-wise review meetings will be held over the next eight days, taking along all stakeholders and elected representatives, and that the problems caused by the drought will be addressed as soon as possible.