CM Fadnavis, deputy CM Shinde tour drought-hit Maharashtra districts

Drought-like conditions have developed in several parts of Maharashtra, prompting Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to personally visit affected areas. Both leaders toured different districts on Tuesday to assess the situation.

Chief Minister Fadnavis visited Dharashiv, Latur and Solapur districts, inspecting farmers' fields to check the condition of crops. He carried out on-the-spot inspections at two locations in Latur, and in the Eramala and Tuljapur areas of Dharashiv district, besides visiting parts of Solapur district.

Fadnavis said relief measures have already begun in areas from which drought reports have been received, and the process of issuing a notification is also underway. He said more areas would be added as further information comes in, and that a drought notification would be issued before the coming Saturday. He also made clear that financial assistance could be sought from the central government if needed, but the state government would not wait for central help and would continue its relief work regardless.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also toured drought-affected areas. On September 23, Shinde inspected drought-hit areas in the Vidarbha districts of Amravati, Akola and Buldhana. He has directed all his ministers to visit farmers' fields in their respective districts to carry out panchnama and on-the-spot inspections, and to hold public hearings in villages. Shinde said every Shiv Sena minister must get to the ground and begin work from the following day.

Meanwhile, Sunetra Pawar reviewed drought-affected areas of Varud-Morshi taluka in Amravati. Devendra Bhuyar, former MLA for the Morshi assembly constituency, met Pawar and briefed her on the drought situation in Varud-Morshi taluka, the problems facing farmers and residents, and the shortage of water. Pawar then contacted the Amravati district collector to take stock of the situation.