Central team to visit drought-hit regions of Maharashtra on Friday

A Central team will visit drought-hit areas of Maharashtra on Thursday to conduct a review even as the state sought Rs 3,924 crore to deal with the situation.

Addressing a news conference at the New Maharashtra Sadan here, the state's Agriculture Minister Eknath Khadse said two days back, the state had sent a proposal of Rs 3,924 crore to the Centre to deal with the drought, which has hit several parts of Marathwada and Vidarbha regions of the state.

"I met Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh and asked him to send Centre's team to review the situation. "He (Singh) said the team comprising government officials including the Agriculture Secretary would visit the state on Friday to review the situation and give its report to the Centre," Khadse said, adding he also met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and apprised him of the situation.

He said the state government has been undertaking several measures to deal with the situation.

"This is perhaps for the first time that someone is looking into the situation or even talking about it in November-December. Usually you will find governments raking up this issue in February, but we have taken up the issue well in advance.

"After coming to power, we have taken steps to waive off the loan, directions have been sent not to cut power due to non-payment of electricity bill or if cut, power should restored at the earliest," Khadse said.