Latur, Sep 20 (PTI) NCP (SP) legislator Rohit Pawar on Sunday demanded that the Maharashtra government immediately declare drought in the Marathwada region and provide Rs 50,000 per hectare assistance to farmers and Rs 25,000 for farm labourers.
He said prolonged dry spells had caused extensive crop losses in Latur and other parts of the eight-district Marathwada region in the central part of the state.
The MLA was speaking to reporters after visiting farmers in Dharashiv, Beed and Latur.
He sought immediate relief, fodder camps and other measures for drought-hit communities.
Pawar claimed crop-loss panchnamas had not yet begun in many places because officials were awaiting government orders.
“First, drought has to be declared. After drought is declared, panchnamas begin. When we speak to officials, they tell us that orders have not yet been issued,” Pawar said.
He claimed farmers he met during the tour reported that their crops had been completely damaged due to lack of rains.
Pawar, who represents the Karjat-Jamkhed assembly constituency in Ahilyanagar district, said official figures indicating a 40 per cent rainfall deficit in Latur did not reflect farmers’ assessment of the situation, which he said was closer to 60 per cent.
He demanded Rs 50,000 per hectare as direct assistance, apart from crop-insurance compensation, and Rs 25,000 for farm labourers.
The MLA also demanded that pending assistance from the previous year be released immediately and alleged that a large number of farmers were yet to receive the benefits of the loan-waiver scheme.
Pawar further called for fodder camps to be opened within the next few days, warning that prolonged fodder shortages could force farmers to sell livestock at distress prices and deprive them of income from dairy farming.
He urged the Maharashtra government to declare drought immediately and convene a special session of the state legislature within five to six days to discuss the situation.
Referring to reports claiming that some officials were allegedly using mobile phones or making reels during field visits, Pawar said that employees found neglecting their duties should face strict action.
“If officials are engaged in such activities instead of understanding farmers’ problems in the field, action should be taken against them,” he said.
Pawar also referred to what he described as crop-insurance payments being initiated in neighbouring Karnataka and questioned why similar action could not be taken in Maharashtra.
Low rainfall and prolonged dry spells have affected crops across 76 tehsils in Marathwada region and created the possibility of fodder and drinking water shortages, Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne had said on Saturday. PTI COR NR
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