Maharashtra drought: Cabinet panel directs banks not to visit farmers for crop loan recovery

Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has directed banks and credit societies not to visit farmers for recovery of crop loans amid the drought situation in the stateAt a meeting of the drought relief cabinet subcommittee headed by Bawankule on Tuesday officials were also asked to examine whether the Reserve Bank of India could issue a circular suspending loan recovery proceedings in droughtaffected areasBawankule directed Chief Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal to examine the possibility of seeking such a directive from the RBI He also asked district collectors and police officials to ensure that farmers are not approached for recovery of crop loans during the crisisDrought declared in 265 talukasThe Maharashtra government has declared drought in 265 of the states 358 talukas accounting for about 74 per cent of the state following a rainfall deficitThe government has activated Trigger1 under its Drought Management Manual which was updated in 2020 and the Drought Management Code The first stage is triggered when rainfall is more than 25 per cent below normal and a dry spell lasts for at least 21 daysPrincipal Secretary Vinita Ved Singhal said scarcity conditions had been reported in 265 talukas based on information received from divisional commissioners According to her 43 talukas have also qualified under Trigger2 which involves a more detailed assessment of the severity and impact of droughtSinghal said the required Government Resolution should be issued without procedural delays for the 43 talukas and other affected areasCrop condition to be assessedAlthough sowing has been completed on 96 per cent of the total cultivated area the condition of crops on the ground remains a concern Singhal saidShe directed officials to conduct a factual assessment of crop conditions and submit a final report by October 25 Bawankule also instructed officials to ensure that farmers receive all possible assistance and said cultivators signatures had been obtained on crop damage assessment reportsThe state has already announced relief measures including crop loan restructuring land revenue concessions and power bill subsidies for affected farmersWater conservation planned for next 10 monthsThe cabinet subcommittee also discussed measures to manage drinking water supplies during the droughtOfficials were directed to implement a 10 per cent water cut in urban areas and retain the conserved water as a buffer until June next year The state is currently supplying water through 560 tankers according to the government releaseThe panel said water resources should be planned to meet drinking water requirements for the next 10 months until the arrival of the next monsoonDrinking water and livestock fodder will receive priority with village ponds and percolation tanks reserved for drinking water The government also identified drinking water fodder crops and rabi crops such as wheat and sugarcane as priorities for water allocationRestrictions on waterintensive activities proposedBawankule said measures were needed to address shortages of water and fodder and regulate the use of water stored in dams and lakesHe said restrictions could be considered for large construction projects in areas facing shortages while works involving significant water use or wastage including some cement road projects should be avoidedEnvironment Minister Pankaja Munde suggested temporarily suspending permissions for residential and commercial construction in areas where drinking water supplies are under pressureWater Resources Minister Girish Mahajan called for action against water theft around lakes and said electricity connections used for such activities should be disconnectedGovernment prepares fodder plan for rabi seasonThe panel also discussed measures to ensure adequate fodder supplies for livestock Several ministers suggested considering fodder depots as an alternative to traditional fodder campsOfficials were instructed to ensure that fodder produced in Maharashtra is not transported outside the state during the shortageBawankule directed district collectors to prepare initial proposals for fodder camps The proposals will be prepared under the chairmanship of the district collector and finalised by a committee comprising the Zilla Parishad chief executive officer and officials from the agriculture and animal husbandry departmentsHe also asked the chief secretary to constitute a committee of secretaries from three departments to study fodder management practices in other states and prepare a plan suited to MaharashtraThe subcommittee directed the administration to begin preparations for the rabi season while undertaking detailed planning for water and fodder requirements over the next 10 monthsWith inputs from PTI