Mumbai, With the Maharashtra government declaring drought in 265 of the 358 talukas on Saturday, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar said the actual assistance to farmers will be decided after the ground-level assessment.
“The government has issued orders to the administration to conduct an objective, ground-level assessment of the drought situation. She said the government has announced 12 relief measures, including concessions in students’ educational fees and the starting of employment guarantee works. As the drought has been declared only today, the actual assistance to farmers will be decided after the ground-level and objective assessment,” she added.
265 drought-affected talukas cover 74 per cent of the state, according to a Government resolution . She said the 12 relief measures for drought-affected areas include concessions in students’ educational fees and the starting of employment guarantee works.
Pawar said the situation in Marathwada is difficult, with crops damaged or dried up and farmers facing problems related to drinking water and fodder for cattle. Pawar said that based on the assessment report, the government will ensure farmers receive assistance as soon as possible. She said the drought declaration is a relief for farmers reeling from crop damage, drinking water shortages and a lack of fodder for livestock.
