The Maharashtra Cabinet on Wednesday approved adding 40 more talukas to the state's drought-hit list, taking the total to 305 of the state's 358 talukas, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced in Mumbai after the Cabinet meeting.
Advance relief before Diwali
Fadnavis said every affected farmer would receive an advance of ₹5,000 credited directly to bank accounts before Diwali, in a move to get relief out months earlier than usual.
"Earlier, drought was declared in 265 talukas. Today, we have declared drought in a total of 305 talukas. We have checked old records; normally help is given in December. But this time we have declared drought in advance," Fadnavis said at the press conference.
The state government also said it was implementing a farm loan waiver scheme and had directed banks and credit societies not to initiate recovery proceedings against farmers during the crisis.
Scale of the damage
According to state government figures, crop loss assessments have been completed in 75 per cent of the 32,927 identified drought-affected villages. Crops spread over 14.93 million hectares have been damaged, affecting 14.1 million farmers across the state.
Water levels in the Marathwada region have dropped by three metres, and the government is increasing water tanker supplies with GPS tracking of the tankers to monitor delivery.
Fadnavis met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on October 7 with an interim proposal seeking a ₹17,500-crore relief package from the Centre — ₹13,000 crore for crop losses and ₹4,500 crore for fodder.
The Cabinet also passed a resolution congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi for completing 25 years as head of government since October 7, 2001.
Sources: Maharashtra adds 40 talukas to drought list, to pay farmers ₹5,000 each before Diwali — Hindustan Times | 40 more talukas added to drought-hit list in Maharashtra; total rises to 305 — Deccan Herald | Maharashtra CM Fadnavis expands drought-hit talukas to 305, announces ₹5,000 Diwali bonus — Economic Times
Advance relief before Diwali
Fadnavis said every affected farmer would receive an advance of ₹5,000 credited directly to bank accounts before Diwali, in a move to get relief out months earlier than usual.
"Earlier, drought was declared in 265 talukas. Today, we have declared drought in a total of 305 talukas. We have checked old records; normally help is given in December. But this time we have declared drought in advance," Fadnavis said at the press conference.
The state government also said it was implementing a farm loan waiver scheme and had directed banks and credit societies not to initiate recovery proceedings against farmers during the crisis.
Scale of the damage
According to state government figures, crop loss assessments have been completed in 75 per cent of the 32,927 identified drought-affected villages. Crops spread over 14.93 million hectares have been damaged, affecting 14.1 million farmers across the state.
Water levels in the Marathwada region have dropped by three metres, and the government is increasing water tanker supplies with GPS tracking of the tankers to monitor delivery.
Fadnavis met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on October 7 with an interim proposal seeking a ₹17,500-crore relief package from the Centre — ₹13,000 crore for crop losses and ₹4,500 crore for fodder.
The Cabinet also passed a resolution congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi for completing 25 years as head of government since October 7, 2001.
Sources: Maharashtra adds 40 talukas to drought list, to pay farmers ₹5,000 each before Diwali — Hindustan Times | 40 more talukas added to drought-hit list in Maharashtra; total rises to 305 — Deccan Herald | Maharashtra CM Fadnavis expands drought-hit talukas to 305, announces ₹5,000 Diwali bonus — Economic Times
