Maharashtra govt to extend all possible help to drought-hit farmers: Minister Atul Save

The Maharashtra government stands firmly with farmers affected by the drought situation in the state and will provide all possible assistance, Nanded District Guardian Minister Atul Save said on Sunday.

Save visited several villages in Nanded district in the Marathwada region to assess the crop situation and interacted with farmers, including women.

The state government on Saturday declared 265 of the 358 talukas in Maharashtra drought-affected and announced relief measures, including restructuring of crop loans, concession in land revenue and deferment of recovery of agriculture-related loans.

According to a government resolution, the declaration covers 74 per cent of the state's talukas.

“The government is with the farmers in this difficult situation and will provide all possible assistance. Farmers should not lose hope,” Save said.

He also said the loan waiver process would continue until all eligible farmers received its benefits.

Amid protests over the exclusion of two talukas in Nanded district from the drought-affected list, Save said he had discussed the matter with the administration.

He expressed confidence that the two talukas would also be included in the drought-hit list.