Central team accepts state’s claims on scanty rainfall

The Central government team that visited Maharashtra to assess the situation arising out of scanty rainfall has accepted the government’s claims of lack of rainfall affecting kharif crops and water levels in dams.

“Though monsoon has revived,the overall situation has not changed,” Chief Secretary Johny Joseph said after the team met him and Chief Minister Ashok Chavan. “Our claim that lack of rainfall between July 24 and August 19 had adversely affected kharif crops,has been accepted by the team.” He said the team also accepted the state government’s claim that the Marathwada region is facing acute water scarcity.

He said the team had admitted that the yield of pulses would be severely hit because of deficient rainfall. The team included central rural development commissioner Meeta Khulabe and agriculture and cooperation commissioner S M Kolhatkar,joint commissioner of central finance department Mewarao and state agriculture commissioner P N Raut.