Sub-panel to chalk out parameters for declaring drought

After Shiv Sena became aggressive and demanded the government declare drought in Maharashtra, the state cabinet on Monday decided to appoint a sub-committee headed by revenue minister Eknath Khadse to chalk out norms for announcing Anewari (parameter for declaring drought and compensation to farmers).

The cabinet also decided to open fodder camps in three more districts – Solapur, Ahmednagar and Parbhani. The government had opened fodder camps in Beed, Osmanabad and Latur last week. The cabinet meeting was held on Monday as chief minister Devendra Fadnavis would be leaving for Japan on Tuesday morning.

The cabinet meeting saw aggressive Sena ministers, especially transport minister Diwakar Raote, point out that the CM had already experienced the anger of the farmers in Parbhani last week. Raote said people were angry and would not be placated with slogans only. People wanted something tangible on the ground, he added.

After revenue minister Eknath Khadse explained the measures taken by the government to mitigate drought, other Sena ministers joined Raote and said the only way out was to officially declare drought, which could provide relief to the farmers. Eventually, Fadnavis said a sub-committee would be appointed under Khadse so that new Anewari norms could be finalised within a fortnight.

Khadse later informed media-persons that the sub-committee would submit its report within 15 days. He also informed that the state would declare Anewari on the lines of the Union government with less than 50% crop yield being considered for compensation. Khadse said rather than relying on traditional methods, the government would make use of state-of-the-art technology to assess crop damage.