CM: Drought decision to be made by October 31

Mumbai: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said that the decision regarding declaring drought in the state would be taken before October 31.

Several parts of the state are facing a drought-like situation because of scant rainfall in the last couple of months.

The Maharashtra chief minister said that officials are reviewing the situation and a decision would be announced this month itself. Once the drought is declared, the government has to undertake certain drought-reli-ef measures in the affected areas. In more than 14 districts, people are suffering from water scarcity and farmers have lost crops. The Opposition slammed the government as a drought has not been yet declared and, it claims, the government has not taken steps to provide help to the people.

Mr Fadnavis, while talking with the media at Nashik, said, “The government has directed revenue employees to analyse the situation, collect data about rainfall, water levels, crop yield and other such things. The state government will finalise the report and declare the drought before October 31.”

After data collection, a report will be submitted to the Union government, which will send a team of officials.  Then, the Centre will decide the compensation and financial aid as per the state government’s demands. Mr Fadnavis said, “In Jalgaon district, 67 per cent rainfall to the average was recorded, which is 5 per cent less than last year.”

Mr Fadnavis has reviewed the water scarcity situation in the district and directed to officials to take certain measures.