Latur/Solapur, Sep 23 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday described the drought-like situation in Latur and Dharashiv in Marathwada region as “extremely serious”, saying the two districts received only half the normal rainfall this year, and promised all possible assistance to the affected farmers.
Fadnavis visited Nilanga tehsil of Latur which is reeling under water shortage and crop losses, and interacted with farmers. He later visited parts of Dharashiv district, and also inspected soybean crops in Barshi area of Solapur district in Western Maharashtra.
“The situation is extremely serious. Latur and Dharashiv received only 50 per cent rainfall this year. The rainfall deficit has severely affected crops, particularly soybean,” he told reporters, and warned of drinking water and fodder shortages later.
“There is distress and anguish among farmers. But I have told them that the government will stand firmly behind them. We will provide all possible assistance. There will be no shortage of funds for drought relief,” he said.
Crop loss surveys were a mere formality and being conducted as a procedural requirement though the devastation was already evident, Fadnavis said.
“We have gathered all the reports and are taking action accordingly. The government has taken the drought situation very seriously and has started working. We are going to help the farmers, and our loan waiver scheme is also operational and will not be stopped. We are arranging water and fodder as well,” he said.
Fadnavis said the state government would issue a Government Resolution (GR) on the drought situation before Saturday and initiate relief measures.
“Wiping the tears of farmers is the government’s first duty. We will certainly seek funds from the Centre under the NDRF norms. However, farmers will not be made to wait till central funds arrive. The state government will immediately start providing assistance from its own treasury,” he said.
Assistance would also be provided to enable farmers to take up sowing for the rabi season, the chief minister added.
The government had already ordered crop damage assessments, he said, stressing that relief would be provided on a comprehensive basis.
“Under the law, we have to conduct panchnamas (damage assessment reports). But even though panchnamas have to be done, the assistance will be given across the board,” he said.
Speaking about complaints concerning the implementation of the farm loan waiver, he said some banks had charged additional interest to farmers’ outstanding accounts.
“Some banks indulged in this malpractice. We noticed that they had deliberately added additional interest and sent the accounts with outstanding amounts. Strict instructions have been issued to all of them. They are now removing the additional interest and resubmitting the accounts,” Fadnavis said.
Once the process was completed, the government would deposit money into the accounts of six to seven lakh farmers, he said.
On the drinking water situation, Fadnavis said the rainfall deficit had severely affected groundwater levels and water bodies.
“If only 50 per cent rainfall is received, there will obviously be an impact on water in reservoirs and wells,” he said, adding that the government had anticipated a drinking water crisis and planned water reserves accordingly.
“We have tried to conserve sufficient water for drinking purposes. We have water required until December, and we have also tried to preserve water up to June. Even then, there will be a drinking water crisis and we are making arrangements for it,” he said.
Fadnavis attributed the severity of the situation to unusual weather conditions including “Super El Nino”.
“Nature has posed a major challenge before us. But the government will stand completely behind the farmers and deploy all available resources to deal with the situation,” he said.
A distressed farmer in Nilanga broke down while narrating his plight to Fadnavis, who embraced him and offered reassurance.
The farmer described the damage to his crops and his financial difficulties, including the pledging of gold jewellery.
Responding to questions on farmers’ demand for the Marathawada water grid project, Fadnavis alleged that the earlier MVA government “dumped” the plan after coming to power.
“The funds given by the Centre under the Jal Jeevan Mission could have been used for the water grid. Instead, they diverted those funds elsewhere,” he said, adding that his government’s priority was to bring water to the Marathwada region.
The CM later visited Karajkheda village in Dharashiv to take stock of the ground situation.
”People should have patience and the aid will come to them as early as possible,” he said.
During their interaction with the CM, villagers and farmers in Karajkheda demanded an aid of Rs 1 Lakh per hectare.
Speaking in Barshi, Fadnavis noted the severe damage to the local soybean crop.
“Though the crop appears green from outside due to some rainfall, the pods have not filled. Farmers have suffered a complete loss and there is a lot of distress,” he said.
The state government is standing by the farmers and provide direct help for fodder, drinking water, education of children and foodgrains, Fadnavis said.
“Farmers are certainly in difficulty today, but we will stand by them and help them come out of this difficult situation,” he said.
Efforts would also be made to bring water to the area through a plan prepared by local MLA Rajabhau Raut and the district guardian minister, Fadnavis said.
Asked about farmers’ demand for water through a flood diversion project, Fadnavis said the first phase of the project had started.
“The World Bank has approved it. The first tender has been issued and the second tender will now be issued. We will bring this water to Ujani dam,” he said.
(PTI News)
