Rs. 2,685 crore package for 15 districts on brink of drought

The state government on Wednesday announced a Rs2,685-crore package for drought relief measures in Maharashtra. The package comprises funds for several schemes to boost farming, animal husbandry and water conservation.

The state government on Wednesday announced a Rs2,685-crore package for drought relief measures in Maharashtra. The package comprises funds for several schemes to boost farming, animal husbandry and water conservation.

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More than 7,500 villages across 15 districts of the state are facing a drought-like situation. On Wednesday, relief and rehabilitation minister Patangrao Kadam expressed fears that the situation could worsen if the monsoon did not pick up soon.

The government faced flak not only from the Opposition, but also from ruling party MLAs, who accused it of being biased in providing relief to drought-prone areas over the past four months. Legislators alleged that most grants had been directed towards western Maharashtra while Vidarbha, Marathwada and rest of Maharashtra did not get as much support despite being equally affected.

Even in the legislative council, the Opposition criticised the government for its handling of the drought-like situation. Opposition leader Vinod Tawde accused the state of patronising a ‘water and fodder mafia’, while demanding a CID probe. Sena MLC Ramdas Kadam accused the government of neglecting the Konkan region. “It is not the rainfall but ineffectual planning that is causing distress to people,” Kadam said. “There is no water harvesting or any other means to effectively utilise water,” he added. Kadam claimed that the 35 irrigation projects started during the Sena-BJP rule had been abandoned by the Democratic Front government.