Maharashtra received no drought funds from Centre, SC told

In a major embarrassment to the Modi government, the BJP-ruled Maharashtra has informed the Supreme Court that while the state had declared "drought like situation" in 15,747 villages of 21 districts in 2015, no Central funds have come its way.

This was mentioned in a reply to the notice issued by the court in December last, following a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Swaraj Abhiyan, a civil society.

The state government said though the rainfall was adequate in the month of June, 2015 (228.4mm), following which farmers took to sowing as usual, the state witnessed a widespread dry spell in July (130.0mm) and August (166.8 mm), leading to huge loss of crops.

The affidavit detailed diesel subsidy, relief on seed subsidy, measures to save perennial horticulture crops and additional fodder development programme (AFDP) as Central measures to bring relief to drought-hit farmers. However, on how much funds the state received from these Central interventions, the reply was "nil".

dna spoke to Maharashtra legal department, when a top official said, "the reference in the affidavit does not mean that the Centre is not cooperating with the state on the drought issue".

The Supreme Court is to hear the PIL and the state's submission on Monday.