सीएम-ई-वृत्तसेवा

Implementation of drought schemes

after finalizing village-wise paisewari

New Delhi 24 August:

Government of Maharashtra has already declared drought in 123 talukas, but actual implementation of giving benefits of the schemes will be done after 15^th December after deciding village wise final paisewari. Implementation will be done strictly on the basis of parameters of the drought decided by Central Government; the Chief Minister of Maharashtra Prithviraj Chavan has clarified this today.

 A delegation led by Prithviraj Chavan met Sharad Pawar, who heads the empowered Group of Ministers today evening and sought the assistance in the drought situation. Before leaving for this meeting Chief Minister conveyed meeting of the delegation comprising of ministers and senior officials from the State in Maharashtra Sadan. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Minister for Social Welfare Shivajirao Moghe, Minister for Agriculture Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Minister for Water Supply Laxmanrao Dhoble, Minister for EGS Nitin Raut were present in the meeting.

The Chief Minister said that, as per the parameters by the Central Government, drought is declared where rainfall received is less than 50% or less than 50% of crop sowing before 14^th August. But in this case, interim paisewari will be calculated by 15^th September. Thereafter final paisewari will be calculated by 15^th December and actual schemes will be implemented in those  villages where paisewari will be less than 50%. The benefits given in the drought affected villages will be like exemption of school examination fees, concession in the payment of electricity bill, restoring electricity connections discontinued due to defaults, reconstruction of agriculture loan, stay on land revenue recovery etc.

But before that, the State Govt is keen on demanding financial aid from Central Govt in the first phase of mitigation measures  to be carried in drought affected villages. This includes inclusion of maximum area under drought by relaxing the norms of drought by central government, seeking help from central government in recovery of electricity bills, increase financial assistance for fodder from Rs 32 to Rs 80 per animal in fodder depots, increase number of work days in MNREGA, etc. During this period, the State Govt will implement schemes to recharge water reservoirs and protect it, increase fodder production, will made available maximum employment, he said.