Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Tuesday decided to draw an additional Rs 2,000 crore from the state contingency fund (CF) to undertake drought-relief measures in 151 tehsils that have been declared as drought-hit.
The decision was taken in the Cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mantralaya on Tuesday.
The government can now withdraw Rs 2,150 crore for drought mitigation.
Officials said that this is a temporary arrangement made from time to time to draw funds to support the drought-affected people.
The funds will be used for basic support like supplying water tankers and other programmes to be undertaken to tackle water scarcity till June.
An official from chief minister office (CMO) said that Kharif crops in 2018 had been badly damaged owing to the natural conditions.
Drought has been declared in 151 talukas.
Jain, chief secretary of the state said that total 9,000 crores would be needed for the drought relief measures in the state.
On Tuesday, the state handed over Rs 2,000 crore from its coffer for the drought relief.
The Central government had already sanctioned Rs 4,714 crore for the drought mitigation.