Drought: Water up to August 2027 reserved first for drinking, Fadnavis tells Central team

Farmers, farm labourers and rural residents will need greater support for the next six to eight months because of the drought in the state, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said. He gave the information at a meeting with the Central drought assessment team, held at the Chief Minister's 'Varsha' residence. He said detailed planning is under way for employment generation, delivery of foodgrain to the needy, drinking water arrangements, and fodder and water for livestock.

The meeting was told that the Central team had made an extensive tour and seen the situation first-hand at the grassroots. The team was also told that people felt reassured that their difficulties had been understood. Fadnavis said the team's sensitive assessment would help convey the severity of the drought to the Central government.

Speaking about crop losses, Fadnavis said good rain in the first two months of the monsoon had raised hopes of record production. However, the rain stopped for about two months just when the crops were flowering. As a result, soybean was hit hardest in many places. Cotton, tur and sugarcane have also been affected.

Owing to the lack of water, rabi sowing is unlikely and there is no scope for summer crops either. Farmers will not get a chance this year to make up kharif losses through rabi or summer crops. Small farmers who also work as farm labourers face a crisis of livelihood. The Chief Minister said help would therefore be provided through planned employment and food security schemes.

Cities such as Mumbai and Pune have benefited from a few days of rain. But in the rest of Maharashtra, especially in small villages in rural areas, water sources have dried up. A large number of tankers will have to be deployed in these areas. The state government is preparing a plan to use technology to deliver tanker water to every village in a transparent and planned manner.

The first claim on the water available up to August 2027 has been reserved for drinking. Separate provision has been made for water needed by people and livestock, and only after that will water be released for other uses. Fadnavis said this reservation would be strictly enforced.

Desilting, repair and revival of water bodies will be taken up on a large scale under various Central and state schemes. Work done earlier in 25,000 villages brought relief to those areas even with a 15 to 17 per cent water deficit. The Chief Minister noted that such works will be implemented transparently through software and an app.

On fodder, Fadnavis said the stock available in various districts is enough for 90 to 120 days. Fodder production will be increased in watershed areas where the soil retains moisture. Available fodder will be bought at rates announced by the government and arrangements made to store it. If needed, bringing fodder from other states that have had good rain will be considered. Fodder camps and cattle camps will be opened as required to save livestock.

Rural residents will be involved in water conservation work. Following the "ridge to valley" concept, existing water conservation structures will be repaired and new ones built with public participation. This will create employment in villages and bring help and relief to residents, Fadnavis said.

The state government will submit a detailed and precise memorandum based on data, in line with Central government norms. He said the Union Agriculture Minister had contacted the state about submitting an advance memorandum, and that it has been submitted. Fadnavis also said the Union Home Minister assured that a meeting of the inter-ministerial group would be held soon to speed up the relief process. He added that although crop insurance cover is comparatively low, the state government will work with the Centre so that farmers who hold insurance receive the benefit quickly.