Out of 125 tehsils, only three fit new drought criteria

Nagpur: The Centre’s new criteria to declare drought-like situation has become a hurdle for the state government. In the Kharif sowing season, around 125 tehsils faced rain deficit. But only three tehsils could be included in the list of drought-affected areas due to new criteria, said sources.

The new criteria to declare an area drought affected include conditions such as: if rain didn’t take place for three to four consecutive weeks, if rainfall is below 50 percent of the average rainfall received in the state, if yearly average rain deficit falls below 75 per cent. The MLAs are concerned over drought-like situation in the state and have demanded a change in the criteria immediately.

A large part of Maharashtra is facing a drought-like situation. There are 125 tehsils in the state which faced rain deficiency this year. There were almost 45 days when it didn’t rain in the monsoon season. A large part of west Vidarbha and entire Marathwada faced rain deficiency. Therefore, it was expected that these tehsils would be included in drought-affected areas list so that farmers would start getting relief from the state revenue department.

Another condition is that sowing should be less than 33 per cent in Kharip season by August as compared to the last year. Due to the new criteria, only three tehsils in Gondia district of Vidarbha are included in drought list.  

“It is a serious concern for MLAs like us from Marathwada. The drought should have been declared by now. This delay would make the situation more critical,” said Subhash Bamane, a Shiv Sena MLA from Marathwada. Congress MLA from Tivasa in Amravati Yashomati Thakur also demanded change in the criteria. “These criteria should be based on how it would be helpful to the people. Instead, the government is trying to wash its hands off the situation,” said Ms Thakur.