Maharashtra to seek Rs 4,000 cr drought relief package

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, along with his ministerial colleagues, will pursue the issue with PM Narendra Modi

The Maharashtra government has decided to seek a Rs 4,000-crore drought relief package from the Centre and approved several relief measures for villages reeling under a severe drought.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the state Cabinet here today. The meting was chaired by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis.

Fadnavis, along with his ministerial colleagues, will pursue the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an official told PTI after the Cabinet meeting.

Recently, Maharashtra Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse had met Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh to seek funds under the National Calamity Relief Fund.

Scarcity conditions prevail in the Marathwada region and several districts of Vidarbha, including Buldhana, Amravati and Akola, in as many as 127 talukas in the state.

Maharashtra's horticulture sector spread over 1.86 lakh hectares has also been affected.

Today's Cabinet meeting decided to implement drought relief measures in 19,059 villages, the official said.

The slew of measures to be implemented in drought-prone areas include a stay on recovery of agriculture loans, 33.5 per cent power subsidy, examination fee rebate for students, water tankers as well as extension of loan repayment. The Cabinet was informed that 66 villages and 257 hamlets across Maharashtra are being provided water through tankers.