Angry farmers stop central team assessing drought in Maharashtra

A central team on a two-day visit to Maharashtra to assess the damage in drought-hit areas, was on Monday stopped by irate farmers in Beed district of Marathwada region.

The team, which is visiting Maharashtra after the state government sought a relief package of Rs 4,000 crore from the Union government, was allowed to proceed only after Beed District Collector intervened and pacified the farmers.

The state government had earlier declared drought in 15,747 villages. The state received only 59.4 per cent of the total annual rainfall this year. Seven districts got 25-50 per cent rainfall while 16 districts received 50-75 per cent rains.

Farmers displayed placards saying: "The government does not listen to us" and blockaded the way near Kolgaon village in Beed district.

Around 200 farmers blockaded the convoy of cars in which the central officials were travelling and demanded setting up of cattle camps, adequate fodder and drinking water and also a loan waiver for farmers.

The officials asked farmers about the extent of crop damage, water availability and whether the financial relief from the government reached the affected areas.