Ration card holders in 151 drought-hit talukas to avail Food

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Monday said all ration card holders from 151 drought affected talukas will avail benefits of Food Security scheme which is already in force.

The chief minister said he has requested the Central government to release quota of food grains for the same.

"The decision will benefit all-category ration card holders from 151 drought affected talukas to avail food grains under Food Security scheme, which is already in implementation in the 14 farm distressed districts of the state", he said in a statement.

In October this year, the Maharashtra government had declared drought in 151 talukas in 26 of total 36 districts in the state.

According to the government, 112 talukas are facing severe drought and 39 talukas a moderate drought.

The 26 districts comprise eight districts each in the Vidarbha and the Marathwada regions, five districts in North Maharashtra, four districts in western Maharashtra and Palghar district in the coastal Konkan region.