The highest number of these drought affected villages — 8,522 are from the Aurangabad division — which covers Marathwada.
In an indication of the extent of the poor rainfall and agrarian distress in Maharashtra, the state government has declared drought in 14,708 of 40,053 surveyed villages.
The highest number of these drought affected villages — 8,522 are from the Aurangabad division — which covers Marathwada.
In Marathwada, all villages in the eight districts have been declared as being under drought based on the 'paisewari' or average yield which is determined through scientific crop-cutting experiments. The results of this crop cutting are compared with the historic average. Villages with a paisewari (or anewari as it is also called) under 50% are declared as drought-affected.
Revenue minister Eknath Khadse said that these villages would get 33.5% concessions in power bills for agricultural pumps, the educational fees for students in aided schools and colleges would be waived off, exemptions would be given in land revenue and water tankers would be provided wherever necessary. Power supply will not be cut off to agricultural pumps in these drought-affected villages.
Khadse, who was speaking after the meeting of the cabinet sub-committee, said that considering the demands of the farmers, purchase centers would be started for cotton, soyabean, maize, and rice. He added that the state and Centre had provided Rs 530 crore for drought, and next week, the state will submit a memorandum to the Centre regarding the necessity of funds for drought relief measures.
A total of 189 talukas, of which the highest of 16 each are in Nanded and Yavatmal districts, have seen rainfall less 75% of the average.
Khadse said that this was the first time in 40 years that the drought was being declared early. He added that crops like wheat, sunflower, and jowar had been sown for the rabi season.
Division villages where the paisewari has been declared villages where the paisewari is less than 50 paise
Konkan 6,028 0
Nashik 5,604 4,869
Pune 4,635 782
Aurangabad 8,522 8,522
Amravati 7,244 57
Nagpur 8,020 478
TOTAL: 40,053 14,708
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Drought declared in 14,708 villages in Maharashtra")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}