Over 85 per cent of Maharashtra’s talukas have been declared drought-hit after the state government added 40 more regions to the list, taking the total affected sub-divisions to 305 out of 358, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday.
In areas where irrigation/dam water is available, farmers are urged to cultivate rabi jowar and fodder crops. “Drought was initially declared in 265 talukas. After evaluating complaints, 40 additional talukas were added, bringing the total to 305 talukas. All 12 standard state drought relief concessions are now extended to these talukas,” Fadnavis told reporters after the cabinet meeting. Last month, the state government declared drought in 265 talukas following rainfall deficit and announced relief measures, including crop loan restructuring, land revenue concessions, and power bill subsidies. The chief minister said a supplementary Government Resolution (GR) has been issued adding 40 more talukas to the drought-hit list. No coercive recovery or pressure is permitted for pending electricity bills, and agricultural pumps up to 7.5 horsepower receive free electricity under state policy. Nearly 16,000 illegal water connections were disconnected to preserve drinking supplies, with a zero-tolerance policy for unauthorised water extraction, the Chief Minister informed. Fodder reserves vary between 90 days and 7 months depending on the region. The cabinet also passed a resolution congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi for completing 25 years as head of government, Fadnavis said.
The state government is committed to purchasing all harvested fodder at Minimum Support Price (MSP), he said.
