MUMBAI: A day after the Maharashtra government declared drought in 265 of its 358 talukas, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday wrote to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking a 17-point relief package for drought-affected farmers, agricultural labourers and rural residents.
“Drought-affected farmers need immediate help. He demanded that, given the delay in declaring drought, the government set aside procedural requirements and provide immediate assistance to farmers facing losses. I have written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and demanded 17 measures which will give relief to people in drought-affected areas,” Pawar said in a post on X, sharing a copy of his letter. Thackeray also alleged that the ₹ 32,000-crore package announced by the state government after excessive rainfall last year had not reached farmers.
Thackeray said demands for a drought declaration had been raised by several sections for some time and noted that Karnataka had also declared drought. “While our tour of drought-affected areas was underway, the state government declared drought yesterday,” he said, while questioning when the relief would actually reach affected farmers. He said the government would need to ensure that relief reached beneficiaries on the ground rather than stopping at the declaration.
Pawar also demanded that the government ensure an immediate supply of drinking water and water for livestock. He further sought a waiver of hostel and mess fees for students from drought-affected areas and demanded that the government include talukas left out of the drought declaration. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray questioned whether the government’s drought declaration would translate into actual financial assistance for farmers.
He called for tehsildars to be empowered to approve water tankers so that water reaches villages facing shortages without delays. Thackeray was inspecting drought-affected areas in Marathwada on Sunday.
