Maharashtra waives land revenue, rejigs crop loans, defers crop loan recovery steps for drought-hit farmers
A farmer in Chandanpuri village in Malegaon Taluka with his cattle. (Picture: The Voice of Malegaon).
Recently, the Maharashtra Agriculture Commissioner conducted a thorough assessment of the drought situation in the state and proposed rollout of the Trigger I measures under the Drought Management Code 2016. The Commissioner in his report to the state government pointed out 265 talukas were hardly hit by drought.
After this, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led government swung into action to tackle the drought emergency. The CM himself visited many drought-hit areas and held a one-on-one interaction with drought-hit farmers. The farmers narrated their ordeal, many broke down before the CM, saying the insufficient rains and scant rainfall have ruined the Kharif 2026 season.
As part of its fight against the drought situation, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavid-led government has invoked Trigger I measures of the Drought Management Code 2016. As part of the measures, the Maharashtra government has waived land revenue, ordered restructuring of crop loans and put on hold measures aimed at recovering crop loans. Including these steps, the Maharashtra government has rolled out 12 key measures to extend respite to drought-hit farmers.
We will not abandon the farmers and also will not let them fend for themselves. We will take every possible step at our disposal to extend respite to farmers and mitigate their unimaginable sufferings. Besides, in a few days we will unveil and implement a comprehensive plan to deal with the drought situation and ensure respite for drought-hit farmers, CM Devendra Fadnavis told the media during a recent visit to drought-hit farmers.
Besides, CM Fadnavis-led government has declared concession in the electricity bills incurred on agriculture pumps. It must be noted that the Maharashtra government has already waived electricity bill for 7.5 horse power agriculture pumps. The current waiver is in addition to that, according to a GR issued on September 26.
The government has also declared waiver of school and college fee of children of drought-hit farmers, a move expected to garner praise from every corner. As part of its measures to extend respite to drought-hit farmers, the state government has relaxed terms and condition of works under the Employment Guarantee Scheme.
The government has also ordered supply of potable waters, if the need arises, in drought-hit villages through water tankers and directed the authorities to ensure fodder for cattle and livestock of farmers are available in ample quantity. Besides, the state wants to ensure farmers directly dependent on field works like cultivation of crops are getting food on time.
