Maharashtra government would propose the Centre to amend the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) norms, so that families of heatwave victims can be provided compensation under it.
"Nine persons have died due to heat-related ailments in the state in the last two days. Four deaths were reported from Jalgaon district, two deaths from Dhule, and one each form Aurangabad, Bhandara and Ahmednagar," state Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse said.
An official from the state disaster management cell said the government can confirm the deaths due to heatstroke only after getting autopsy results.
"According to NDRF norms, farmers can get relief for damage to crops due to unseasonal rains or hailstorms. But there is no provision to provide monetary help to heatwave victims, nor are there provisions to provide compensation for crops damaged due to the heatwave," Khadse said.
"So we have decided to propose to the Union Government to amend the NDRF norms to give relief to heatwave victims as well as farmers for their crops," he said, adding until then, Maharashtra Government will provide relief to heatwave victims.
"There are nine deaths in the state, suspected to be heatwave victims. We have sought detailed report from the authorities concerned which we will get by Monday," said Suhas Diwase, director of the state disaster management cell.
Khadse said, "The report will be put before the Cabinet on Tuesday for discussion. Subsequently, a proposal will be sent to the Centre to amend the norms for heatwave relief.
