Ratnagiri drought: Guardian minister orders crop survey, fodder-water and loan relief plan

As the shadow of drought deepens over Ratnagiri district, the district administration has begun taking urgent steps. Industries Minister and Ratnagiri's guardian minister Dr Uday Samant has ordered strict planning to ensure no shortfall in water for agriculture, drinking supply and industries.

Samant was speaking at a district crop situation review meeting held at the collector's office. He directed the administration to immediately start crop surveys in the talukas where drought has been declared as well as in the district's other talukas. Drought has been declared in 265 talukas across the state, including Ratnagiri, Sangameshwar and Rajapur talukas in Ratnagiri district.

Samant said drought-like conditions prevail in the district's remaining talukas as well, and the government will be urged to include them in the drought list too. The district administration was told to promptly submit complete proposals for the remaining talukas. He also directed that a separate water planning plan for agriculture, drinking water and industry be kept ready in advance in case rainfall is delayed further.

Samant strictly instructed officials and staff to visit farmers' fields directly and carry out crop surveys with sensitivity. Instructions were also given to accurately complete farmers' bank account details, Aadhaar details and e-KYC during the survey. The meeting noted that talathis and gram sevaks must ensure every eligible farmer is registered on the Agristack. Orders were given to contact farmers who have gone out of town for work or business and complete surveys of their farmland as well.

The animal husbandry department informed the meeting that fodder sufficient till March 2027 is currently available in the district. The guardian minister instructed the collector to prepare a proposal for a special fund to purchase the straw available after paddy harvesting. Water conservation works were also reviewed at the meeting. It was stated that works are currently underway in 233 villages in the district under the Jalyukt Shivar scheme, and that 82 percent water storage remains in the district's 20 major dams. Citing the possibility of worsening water scarcity ahead, Samant directed a district-wide campaign to build "vanrai bandharas" (check dams).

The meeting directed that the lead bank determine the types and extent of farmers' agricultural loans and submit a report on loan restructuring. Instructions were given regarding action to extend concessions to agricultural pumps above 7.5 horsepower, noting that electricity bills for pumps up to 7.5 horsepower are already waived.

Guardian minister Uday Samant also directed the administration to send proposals to the government on starting employment guarantee scheme works on a large scale in rural areas, relaxing the criteria for approving water tankers for drinking water, and waiving examination fees for college students in drought-affected areas.