Drought-like conditions in 18 Maharashtra districts after poor rainfall

Mumbai, Sep 14 (PTI) Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Monday said a drought-like situation had developed in 18 districts of the state due to inadequate rainfall, the data of which would be kept before the cabinet.

The minister expressed hope that the situation across the state would improve with more rain in the next eight to 10 days.

"Today, the data of 18 districts has come to me. This data will be presented before the cabinet tomorrow. We have identified 18 districts where the situation is particularly bad and I have received the report," Bawankule told reporters.

He said the state government had ordered a survey across Maharashtra to assess the situation, with district collectors preparing reports. In districts where rainfall has been good recently, the government has ordered fresh surveys to reassess the situation, Bawankule added.

Bawankule said nearly half of Maharashtra's farmers were currently facing a drought-like situation due to inadequate rainfall.

"Some rain had occurred on Sunday. The arrival of Lord Ganesha would bring more rainfall, helping ease water scarcity and the drought-like conditions in the state," the minister said.

He said he expected the deficient rainfall to be made up over the next eight to 10 days and the drought-like situation to recede.

The minister also appealed to all political parties and individuals not to hold protests during the 10-day Ganesh festival, an apparent reference to the Maratha quota stir by Manoj Jarange.

Jarange has announced that he would be proceeding to Mumbai to start an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan in the metropolis from September 19. Ganpati festival, which began on Monday, will go on till Anant Chaturdashi on September 25.

"These days are not for any agitation in the state," he said, urging everyone to maintain unity and to ensure no incident or action tarnishes Maharashtra, society or any individual during the festive period.

Bawankule said the government wanted the 10-day festival to bring happiness, enthusiasm and a sense of unity, while encouraging people to make resolutions for their health and Maharashtra's development.

He said the Devendra Fadnavis government had taken 107 cabinet decisions related to the revenue department during its tenure, which are aimed at protecting the property and rights of farmers, agricultural labourers and citizens.

Bawankule said the revenue department, from talathis to district collectors, had worked to protect people's property and ensure their rights remained intact.

He said the government would soon introduce two-three important laws, including a Land Titling Act, which he claimed was in force in 80 countries but had not been adopted by any other state in India.

Under the proposed legislation, citizens would get definitive property cards, he said.

While 7/12 extracts, registration documents or deeds currently established ownership records, the government wanted to provide people with a more certain title to their property, Bawankule said.

He also announced a proposed law based on the principle of "first measurement, then registration".

"Under this, property cannot be registered without prior measurement. It would help prevent disputes over property boundaries and ownership," the minister informed.

Bawankule said the government's flagship 'Mukhyamantri Baliraja Shet Raste Yojana' would seek to provide farmers with roads to their agricultural fields over the next five years. The government will take responsibility for the work, he added.