Maharashtra govt declares 42 talukas in state as drought-hit

#मंत्रिमंडळ_निर्णय…

✅ मराठवाड्यातील निझामकालीन व इतर उपलब्ध कागदपत्रांच्या आधारे मराठा – कुणबी, कुणबी – मराठा जात प्रमाणपत्रांसंदर्भात कार्यवाही निश्चित करणाऱ्या न्या. संदीप शिंदे समितीचा प्रथम अहवाल स्वीकृत.
– कुणबी नोंदी असलेल्यांना कुणबी जात प्रमाणपत्र देण्याची कार्यवाही…

— Eknath Shinde – एकनाथ शिंदे (@mieknathshinde) October 31, 2023

During this monsoon, the state received 13.5 per cent less than normal rain resulting in area under kharif sowing decline by 2.50 lakh hectares. The rabi season which has just begun also shows slow pace of sowing of crops at just 12 per cent till October end.

The talukas which have been clubbed under severe drought include Nandurbar, Chalisgaon, Bhokardhan, Jalna, Badnapur, Ambad, Mantha, Sambhajinagar, Soygaon, Malegaon, Sinnar, Yeola, Purandar, Saswad, Baramati, Vadvani, Dharur, Ambejogai, Renapur, vashi, Dharashiv Lohara, Barshi, Malshiras and Sangola.

The talukas categorised under medium drought include Sindhkhed Raja, Buldhana, Lonar, Shirur, Ghodnandi, Daund, Indapur, Karmala, Mhada, Wai, Khandala, Hatkanangle, Gadhinglaj, Shirala, Kadegaon, Khanapur Vita and Miraz.

Interestingly, 14 talukas out of 42 are from Marathwada region which is the epicentre of Maratha reservation agitation.

The CM also indicated that based on ground reports and subject to compliance of drought parameters, relief will be extended to other talukas soon.

In another decision, the Cabinet has relaxed the norms related to compensation offered by the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). The compensation to farmers for crop loss will be given for three acres instead of two at present. The scope for relief has also been extended and compensation will be given to non-marginal farmers also.

The talukas which have been declared drought-hit will get land revenue exemption and restructuring of crop loans.