Mumbai: Finally, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has admitted that parts of the state are in the grip of a drought and assured farmers they will soon get relief.
Fadnavis said on Monday the state government would soon issue a notification to officially declare a drought-like situation in 179 talukas across the state.
Fadnavis was in Nashik district with President Ram Nath Kovind to attend a function at ‘Mangi-Tungi’, a place of religious importance for the Jain community.
Addressing a public rally, Fadnavis said, the initial procedure to announce drought has almost been completed.
Once, the drought-like situation is announced, the villagers can get relief from paying instalments on crop loans, to district co-operative banks and from the nationalised banks.
Farmers will also get relief from paying electricity bills for agriculture pump and they are exempt from various taxes, including agriculture tax and housing tax.
Children of farmers from drought-prone areas also get exemption from paying educational fees.
The district administration approves water tankers to provide drinking water to these drought-affected villages.
Ram Shinde, the minister for water conservation, said, the Jal Yukta Shivar scheme has succeeded in increasing ground water levels by four metres in Marathwada region.
“Due to the Jal Yukta Shivar, water percolated into the ponds created and the farmers have successfully managed to save crops even though there has been below-average rainfall in the region,” said Shinde.