Maharashtra to review drought like situation, says Ajit Pawar

NAGPUR: The Maharashtra government has collected information about rainfall and sowing from all parts of the state, based on which a decision to compensate farmers will be taken at the cabinet meeting scheduled for July 30, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said here today.

"The situation is different in each division and a second sowing was carried out after rains in a particular area, but the situation is no good in Marathwada region where there are no rains or inadequate rains," Pawar said.

All elected representatives are expected to send feedback to the state about the actual situation in Maharashtra due to paucity of rains, he said.

By Wednesday, the respective guardian ministers would be equipped with data from their districts, after which the cabinet may decide the compensation.

Maharashtra state government authorities have instructed that first priority must be given to drinking water, followed by irrigation, he said.

Answering a question, Pawar said that the Maharashtra state government had extended financial assistance to the tune of Rs 13,000 crore during the last two to three years when it experienced a drought and excessive rains.