First notification on drought mitigation in three days, Maharashtra government to seek Central aid: CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Tuesday that the first notification for drought mitigation measures would be released in three days. He stated that financial aid would be sought from the Central government while the State government started providing aid to farmers. Fadnavis emphasized that merely declaring drought was insufficient; implementation of drought mitigation measures was crucial.

Several regions in Maharashtra, particularly Marathwada and Vidarbha, were experiencing drought conditions due to a weak monsoon. The opposition urged the government to declare drought immediately and extend relief measures. Fadnavis clarified that the State government would not await financial assistance from the Centre to aid farmers suffering due to insufficient rainfall. Instead, a proposal for Central aid would be drafted separately in accordance with National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) regulations.

Ministers and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) would travel to affected areas to gauge the situation and engage with farmers. The State had already taken preliminary relief steps, while the formal procedure for seeking Central aid would proceed concurrently. Fadnavis noted that Central assistance typically arrived tardy because a set process had to be followed under a law enacted by Parliament, which stipulated particular timelines.

He assured that all legal prerequisites would be fulfilled before submitting the proposal, but the State would continue providing assistance as required.