Stating that the state government was prepared to combat one of the most severe droughts in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday informed the state Assembly that over 83 lakh farmers are affected due to drought on almost 85 lakh hectares of area in the state.
Replying to a debate over drought situation in the state in the state assembly, the chief minister informed that state government has completed all the due procedures of declaring drought in the state and has sent a proposal worth Rs. 7,522 crores to Union government for drought relief on November 6.
Fadnavis announced that power connections would not be cut for non-payment of bills in the drought-hit areas and the government would pay at last one year's bill in addition to the rescheduling of the previous bill.
He also announced that the government has directed collectors of 25 districts to ensure the cultivation of fodder on at least 2,000 hectares by identifying the land for the same. He said that the state government has sent the Union government a proposal for ensuring work for an additional 50 days under employment guarantee scheme.
Refuting the allegations against ambitious flagship scheme of Jalyukta Shivar Yojana, Fadnavis said that the scheme is successful only because it is with people's participation.
He said that IIT, as well as the High Court, has lauded the scheme and there are handful complaints and cases of corruptions but action has been taken immediately against those.
LOAN WAVIER
Informing that the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Shetkari Sanman Yojana for loan waiver would continue till the last farmers have paid their dues, Fadnavis said that so far over 50 lakh farmers have been provided with loan waiver benefits amounting to Rs. 23,817 crores. He said that Rs 17,000 crores have been transferred to farmers’ accounts.
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