Devendra Fadnavis tells ministers to visit drought-hit areas

With the model code of conduct in place, the ministers will tour the villages as elected representatives.

As the drought situation intensifies with the advancement of summer and amid reports that the monsoon may be delayed, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday asked his ministers to visit drought-affected areas and review the relief work.

Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis (Kunal Patil/HT File)

“We took a detailed review of the drought situation, efforts and assistance provided so far. I have directed all guardian ministers to visit drought-affected areas and fodder camps. They will see what else can be done to provide relief to people,” said Fadnavis, after the cabinet meet.

With the model code of conduct in place, the ministers will tour the villages as elected representatives. They will submit memoranda to the district collectors concerned, requesting them to boost relief work. “We have already asked the EC to allow us to take a decision for relief work, as the general elections in the state are over. We are hoping to get their nod soon,” said Fadnavis.

According to the forecast, the rains are likely to get delayed in the state, which means the drought situation will stretch for a few more days. “Going by the forecast, rains are getting delayed this year, which is a cause for concern for us. But we are preparing accordingly,” said the CM.

Migration is another concern for the government. As such, it has decided to allow labourers to work for more than 150 days under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) scheme. The state has decided to bear the burden of the wages. Under MGNREGA, the Centre provide wages to a labourer for 100 days, however, on the state’s request they have agreed to pay wages for 150 days. “This is being done to stop migration from affected areas. People will not migrate if they get work in their villages,” state relief and rehabilitation minister Chandrakant Patil said.

Currently, the state has taken up 34,478 works, employing 2.74 lakh people as labourers, under the MGNREGA. Patil said the state is ready to accommodate another 10 lakh people under the scheme.

“If they want to work for more than 150 days, they will be allowed to do so, and their wages will be paid by the state,” he said.