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Maharashtra declares drought in 265 talukas amid rainfall deficit
The Maharashtra government has declared drought conditions in 265 of the state's 358 talukas, covering approximately 74 per cent of the region. The declaration follows a significant rainfall deficit during the southwest monsoon season, which the India Meteorological Department attributes to prevailing El Niño conditions. The state has recorded a 17 per cent rainfall deficit, with some districts like Solapur experiencing a 57 per cent shortfall.
To support affected agricultural communities, the government has activated 'Trigger-1' of the Drought Management Code, enabling 12 relief measures. These include the restructuring of crop loans, a stay on farm loan recovery, waivers of land revenue, and concessions on electricity bills for agricultural pumps. Additionally, the government will provide drinking water via tankers, food grains, and fodder for livestock. Relief also extends to students, with examination fee waivers for those from affected farming families.
District Collectors have been directed to immediately begin crop loss assessments, known as panchnamas, using GPS coordinates and geotagged photography to determine compensation levels. While the government has initiated these administrative measures, opposition leaders have criticized the response, demanding higher direct financial compensation of Rs 1 lakh per hectare without landholding limits.
Entities
Chandrashekhar Bawankule · Devendra Fadnavis · Eknath Shinde · India Meteorological Department · Maharashtra · Maharashtra Government · Shiv Sena · Sunetra Pawar
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Examination fees for students from affected farming families will be waived. www.tv9hindi.com · theobserverpost.com · bhaskarlive.in · www.deccanchronicle.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Rules for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) have been relaxed to increase local employment. bhaskarlive.in · www.tv9hindi.com · www.deccanchronicle.com
- [● 9 SOURCES] Relief measures include land revenue waivers, stays on farm loan recovery, and restructuring of crop loans. www.tv9hindi.com · theobserverpost.com · madhyamamonline.com · bhaskarlive.in · theshillongtimes.com · +3 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The India Meteorological Department attributes the rainfall deficit to prevailing El Niño conditions. madhyamamonline.com · scroll.in
- [● 10 SOURCES] The drought declaration enables 12 specific relief measures for affected citizens and livestock. madhyamamonline.com · www.tv9hindi.com · theobserverpost.com · bhaskarlive.in · theshillongtimes.com · +3 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] Maharashtra has recorded a 17 per cent rainfall deficit during the southwest monsoon season. madhyamamonline.com · scroll.in
- [● 11 SOURCES] The Maharashtra government declared drought in 265 of the state's 358 talukas. madhyamamonline.com · www.tv9hindi.com · theobserverpost.com · bhaskarlive.in · theshillongtimes.com · +4 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] District Collectors must conduct crop loss assessments (panchnamas) using GPS coordinates and geotagged photography. www.tv9hindi.com · theobserverpost.com · www.deccanchronicle.com · www.news18.com