Sharad Pawar urges Maharashtra government to declare drought, provide ₹50,000 per hectare relief

NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar has written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging him to provide relief of ₹50,000 per hectare and declare drought based on the actual damage, taluka-wise rainfall, and crop condition in Maharashtra.

“Instead of taking a decision based solely on the average district figures, the actual damage should be considered together based on taluka-wise rainfall, crop condition, and declare drought,” said Mr. Pawar, adding that the situation is dire in most of the state and in some districts, there is a deficit of about 60% of the average in the last three months.

This year, when looking at the average rainfall deficit by region from June to August, Marathwada has seen a 69% deficit, Vidarbha a 61% deficit, Konkan a 33% deficit and some districts in western and northern Maharashtra a 26% deficit, he stated in the letter.