NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging him to provide relief of ₹50,000 per hectare and declare drought based on the actual damage, taluka-wise rainfall, and crop condition in Maharashtra. 

“Instead of taking a decision based solely on the average district figures, the actual damage should be considered together based on taluka-wise rainfall, crop condition, and declare drought,” said Mr. Pawar, adding that the situation is dire in most of the state and in some districts, there is a deficit of about 60% of the average in the last three months.

This year, when looking at the average rainfall deficit by region from June to August, Marathwada has seen a 69% deficit, Vidarbha a 61% deficit, Konkan a 33% deficit and some districts in western and northern Maharashtra a 26% deficit, he stated in the letter. 

He listed nine measures, suggesting Mr. Fadnavis to end drought without waiting for formal announcements.

The list includes that farmers should receive ₹50,000 per hectare as an aid, while agricultural labourer families should be given special assistance of ₹25,000 each; the banks should be instructed to expedite the implementation of the loan waiver scheme and increase the incentive subsidy from Rs 50,000 to ₹1 lakh; the announced crop insurance assistance of ₹17,000 per hectare in the unseasonal rains relief package last year should also be distributed immediately, and others. 

According to him, at least 31 out of 36 districts in the state have received much less rainfall than the average. The state has received only 748 mm of rainfall from June 1 to September 15, which is a 19% decrease compared to the average.

Mr. Pawar also recommended implementing a one-rupee crop insurance scheme and designing special schemes to be implemented through the Employment Guarantee Scheme. For instance: carry out water conservation and other agricultural-related works. 

For livestock, Mr. Pawar has asked to make arrangements of fodder, water, and necessary veterinary services for livestock.

“State and district-level control rooms should be set up to monitor rainfall, crop condition, water scarcity, fodder availability and livestock condition daily in each district. District Collectors should be given the power to make ‘Negative Debit’ to provide additional funds from the treasury,” the letter read. 

The other measure includes relief for students by not only waiving examination fees but also the entire educational fees of students studying in schools, colleges and other educational institutions in drought-affected talukas.