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Fadnavis Calls Latur, Dharashiv Drought Situation Extremely Serious
Latur and Dharashiv received much less rain than usual this year.
The lack of rain damaged crops, especially soybean.
It also reduced water in wells and reservoirs.
Farmers are worried about drinking water, animal fodder, and money.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis visited the affected areas and spoke with farmers.
He promised that the state government would provide help without waiting for central funds.
The government said it would arrange water and fodder and support farmers in growing winter crops.
Some farmers asked for Rs 1 lakh for every hectare of damaged farmland.
Latur and Dharashiv received about 50% of normal rainfall this year, causing severe crop losses.
Soybean crops were particularly affected, while low groundwater and depleted water bodies threaten drinking-water supplies.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis promised state assistance, water, fodder, and support for farmers’ rabi cultivation.
The government plans to issue a drought-related resolution before Saturday and seek central funds under NDRF norms.
Farmers in Dharashiv’s Karajkheda village demanded aid of Rs 1 lakh per hectare.
- Who
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, farmers, villagers, and the Maharashtra government.
- What
- A drought-like crisis caused by scanty rainfall has damaged crops and threatened water and fodder supplies.
- Where
- Latur and Dharashiv districts, including Nilanga tehsil and Karajkheda village in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region.
- When
- The situation was discussed during Fadnavis’s visits on September 23; the government said it would issue a drought-related resolution before Saturday.
- Why
- The districts received only about half of their normal rainfall, severely affecting crops, groundwater, reservoirs, and wells.
Government’s Response
Farmers’ Concerns and Opposition Claims
Relief measures
Government’s Response
Fadnavis said the government would provide comprehensive assistance, arrange drinking water and fodder, support rabi cultivation, and begin relief before central funds arrived.
Farmers’ Concerns and Opposition Claims
Farmers reported crop damage and financial distress, and villagers in Karajkheda demanded Rs 1 lakh per hectare in assistance.
Water grid responsibility
Government’s Response
Fadnavis said the water-grid project was ambitious and should have used funds available under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Farmers’ Concerns and Opposition Claims
Fadnavis alleged that the Maha Vikas Aghadi government abandoned the project and diverted those funds elsewhere.
Key facts
- Rainfall
- Latur and Dharashiv received around 50% of normal rainfall this year.
- Most affected crop
- Soybean was particularly affected by the rainfall deficit.
- Government response
- The state promised all possible assistance, including water, fodder, and financial relief.
- Relief funding
- The state said it would begin assistance from its own treasury while seeking funds under NDRF norms.
- Loan waiver
- Fadnavis said the farm loan waiver scheme would continue and that six to seven lakh farmers would receive deposits after account corrections.
- Water outlook
- The government said it had conserved drinking water through December and tried to preserve supplies until June, but still expected a crisis.
- Farmers’ demand
- Farmers in Karajkheda demanded aid of Rs 1 lakh per hectare.
Quotes
Devendra Fadnavis
Maharashtra Chief Minister
“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 until the central funds arrive. The state government will immediately start providing assistance from its own treasury.”
theprint.in
“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.”
theprint.in
Sources
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