Despite the proposal for the drought mitigation funding being submitted twice, it was turned down by the Central government, which asked for more clarity in the proposal.
The state government has demanded 88,000 metric tonnes of food grains from the Centre as part of the drought mitigation plans, as the government suspects that productivity will be hampered to a large extent this kharif season due to drought.
The state government claimed that it was confident that the demand will be met.
The state government, led by chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, had to return without any firm assurances from the Central government. Despite the proposal for the drought mitigation funding being submitted twice, it was turned down by the Central government, which asked for more clarity in the proposal.
Chief secretary Jayant Banthia, on Monday, said the state has demanded assistance under various heads and was hopeful to get it in due course of time. “It is unfair to say that the state was turned away by the Centre, as the procedure takes time.”
“The Centre always helps the state government under the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF), the employment guarantee scheme and other heads. We hope a positive decision about the funding will be taken in the planning commission meeting this week,” he said.
The state government has also asked the Centre for an energy subsidy for agricultural pumps, similar to the diesel subsidy given to farmers in Punjab and Haryana. “We have demanded an energy subsidy so that the farmers in Maharashtra who run their agricultural pumps on electricity can pay their bills later and avoid disconnection. As of now, the government pays the bills of the defaulters,” he added.
The state has demanded nearly Rs3,700 crore as assistance for the drought mitigation programme chalked out by the state. It also has demanded Rs2,270 crore for the irrigation projects that are on the verge of completion and which could prove to be of great benefit if completed in the next one year. The state has also demanded that a National Drought Relief Fund be set up to release funds to drought-hit areas immediately.
Banthia said state government would continue to release funds for drought mitigation measures until the Central funds are released.
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