The Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has raised concerns about the dire agricultural situation in Maharashtra and is calling for the state government to declare a drought. Supriya Sule, the working president of the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP, emphasized the need for immediate action due to the significant loss of standing crops caused by inadequate rainfall or even a lack thereof across the state.
Drought Conditions in Maharashtra: Sule pointed out that the months of June and July witnessed poor rainfall, and the trend continued from August 1 to 18, with precipitation falling below 80 percent of the average. These adverse weather conditions have led to substantial losses for farmers, as their standing crops have suffered. In light of this situation, Sule called upon the government to not only ensure that farmers receive their entitled insurance benefits but also to officially declare a state of drought in Maharashtra.
Sule further highlighted the urgency of providing immediate relief to affected farmers. She urged the revenue and agriculture departments of the government to swiftly initiate actions such as setting up fodder camps, supplying water through tankers, and addressing other drought-related issues. The pressing need for assistance stems from the unprecedented crisis that farmers are facing due to the shortfall in rainfall.
Mahesh Tapase, NCP spokesperson of the Sharad Pawar group, expressed concern over the additional burden placed on farmers by nationalized and private banks. These financial institutions have issued loan recovery notices to farmers in the midst of this crisis. Tapase called upon the state government to intervene and prevent such notices from being served to farmers undergoing this challenging period. He criticized the current administration, labeling it as “anti-farmer” and warned of a statewide protest if the recovery notices were not retracted.
A senior bureaucrat highlighted the necessity for rigorous measures to combat the effects of drought in light of the inadequate monsoon. This includes the establishment of fodder camps in villages and the use of water tankers to provide drinking water. The bureaucrat also noted that the water supply situation is grim, with the number of tankers deployed for water supply significantly higher than the previous year.
Data from the state water resources department underscored the severity of the water shortage. Water stocks in nearly 3,000 dams across the state have dwindled, with the exception of the Konkan region. Marathwada, in particular, is facing the brunt of the crisis, with Aurangabad’s water stock plummeting to a mere 32 percent of total capacity.
As the situation grows increasingly dire, the call to address the drought conditions in Maharashtra becomes more urgent. The NCP’s plea for prompt action underscores the need for proactive measures to alleviate the challenges faced by farmers and safeguard the state’s agricultural landscape.
