The state government has included Jawali taluka of Satara district, along with Patan, Koregaon, Wai and Karad, in its revised list of drought-hit talukas. Thanks to the persistent follow-up by Public Works Minister Shrimant Chhatrapati Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale, these talukas have got justice. All 11 talukas of Satara district are now officially declared drought-hit, bringing big relief to farmers and common people of the district.
Minister Shivendrasinhraje Bhosale thanked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Patil for the decision.
Included under 'Trigger 2' criteria, promise to the people kept The state had earlier declared drought in 265 talukas across Maharashtra. However, Jawali, Patan, Koregaon, Wai and Karad were dropped from the first list because only the 'Trigger 1' criterion, a rainfall deficit alone, was applied. This created deep resentment and confusion among farmers.
Bhosale had assured people that these talukas would certainly be included after a 'Trigger 2' survey of the actual loss to crops and plants caused by the shortage of rain. On this, he followed up persistently with Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and the state government. After the real situation was placed before the government, it issued a fresh ordinance declaring all these talukas drought-hit.
Major government concessions and measures for drought-hit talukas: As a result of this decision, the following concessions will come into force immediately in all 11 talukas of Satara district:
Suspension and rescheduling of loans: All kinds of farm loan recovery have been suspended immediately, and crop loans will be rescheduled as medium-term loans.
Relief on land revenue and electricity bills: Land revenue will be fully waived. Farm pumps will get a concession on current electricity bills, and farmers' power connections in scarcity-hit villages will not be cut off.
Exam fee waiver for students: Examination fees of school and college students in the affected talukas will be fully waived.
Water and fodder planning: Tankers will be started wherever needed for drinking water. Adequate fodder and water for livestock will get top priority.
Speeding up employment guarantee works: Norms under the Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA) will be relaxed to start the maximum number of unskilled works, so that farm labourers get work.
Food security and water conservation: Care will be taken to ensure there is no shortage of food grains for farmers and farm labourers dependent on agriculture. Water conservation works will be taken up on a war footing to tackle scarcity.