Govt approves extra Rs 256 cr for drought-hit Maharashtra

Panel of ministers also approved Rs 511 crore aid to Rajasthan, Arunachal and Nagaland for flood and drought in 2012

An Empowered Group of Ministers (eGoM) on drought has approved an additional Rs 256 crore for rejuvenation of orchids in drought-hit district of Maharashtra, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said today.

He said the panel of ministers has also approved Rs 511 crore aid to Rajasthan, Arunachal and Nagaland for flood and drought in 2012.

However, a proposal for extension of duty-free import of oil cakes has been postponed and will be taken up only after reviewing the demand supply situation.

The eGoM on drought had met today to assess the condition in drought-hit districts of Maharashtra.

The meeting was held after a high-level team of officials toured the different drought-hit areas of the state to assess the extent of damage to crop and livestock in the region.

Maharashtra is witnessing drought since 2012 rabi sowing season. The Central government had earlier sanctioned over Rs 1,352 crore for drought relief in the state.

According to an assessment made by the state government, deficit rainfall in western Maharashtra and Marathwada throughout the 2012 monsoon resulted in less availability of soil
moisture and water for irrigation.

Poor rainfall has affected the storage in all the irrigation projects in the drought-affected region. Live storage in all the dams has rapidly depleted in three divisions - Nashik, Pune and Aurangabad. The poor rainfall and consequent low water storage have reduced area coverage under Rabi crops, especially jowar. While normal area under Rabi is 58.60 lakh ha, sowing has been done only in 45.27 lakh ha (77%) this year, an official statement said.