The state will also start procurement depots for cotton, soyabean, corn and paddy in these drought-affected villages. The state will also start procurement depots for cotton, soyabean, corn and paddy in these drought-affected villages.

A state cabinet sub-committee declared drought in 14,708 villages of Maharashtra Friday. It also announced measures such as providing one-third subsidy on electricity charges for agricultural pumps and waiving school fees for children from these villages to mitigate the impact of the drought.

“Based on the analysis of the situation, we have decided to declare drought in 14,708 villages in the state,” said Revenue Minister Eknath Khadse.

The state uses the Paisewari system to declare scarcity and drought. It is based on the value of the crop. In every village, just prior to the harvest of Kharif crop in October, the administration along with the local farmers estimate the crop yield. If the crop yield is less than 50 per cent of the average of the last decade, then the area is considered to be drought-hit. The 39 per cent rain deficit, which the state faced this year, has compounded the woes of the farmers, especially in the Marathwada region.

Khadse elaborated that 189 talukas, spread mainly over Marathwada, North Maharashtra and Vidarbha, which saw a total of 75 per cent rain deficit, are the worst-hit. He said some of the measures that the government planned to take immediately included 33.5 per cent subsidy on electricity charges for all agricultural pumps in these villages. The state will also waive the examination fees of students coming from these areas besides providing drinking water to all these villages through tankers.

The state will also start procurement depots for cotton, soyabean, corn and paddy in these drought-affected villages.

“We have also decided to send a memorandum seeking help from the Centre for these areas,” Khadse added.

Maharashtra has witnessed a very poor monsoon this year. Till October 13, the state had received only 710.1 mm of rainfall which is just 61.3 per cent of the normal 1,159 mm of rainfall that it should get in this period. The reservoirs in the state hold only 56 per cent of their total holding capacity.

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