MUMBAI: The NCP(SP) on Friday questioned the Maharashtra government over its decision to declare drought under “Trigger-1” in 265 talukas, saying the relief announced so far largely comprises concessions and administrative measures, while actual crop-loss compensation has been deferred.NCP(SP) senior leader Mahesh Tapase said the government resolution issued by the Relief and Rehabilitation Department on September 25 provides for measures including land revenue exemption, restructuring of crop loans, deferment of loan recovery, concessions in agricultural electricity bills, examination fee waivers and relaxation of employment guarantee scheme norms. It also provides for water tankers, fodder and drinking water arrangements.Tapase pointed out that the GR states that financial assistance for crop losses would be considered separately after completion of panchnamas, or field-level crop damage assessments.“The government has declared drought in 265 out of 358 talukas and yet, in the very same order, it says compensation for the farmers’ actual losses will come later, after further paperwork and survey. Farmers whose crops have already failed cannot survive on promises of a future GR,” Tapase said.He demanded that the government announce a firm timeline for completing panchnamas and disbursing both interim and final crop-loss compensation in all 265 talukas.“Every year we see the same sequence — a GR is issued, some relief is announced, and the real compensation is pushed to after the survey. By then, the season is over and farmers have already borrowed money at high interest just to survive,” Tapase said.He also referred to NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar’s September 16 letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in which Pawar had sought an immediate relief package of at least Rs 50,000 per hectare along with other measures.Tapase asked the government to specify when farmers would actually receive crop-loss compensation in their bank accounts.
