"Our whole attention is on drought-hit people," says Sharad Pawar
NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar says his party is prioritizing aid for drought-hit people in Maharashtra amid severe rainfall deficits.
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar has declared that his party's primary mission is currently centered on providing support to those suffering from the severe drought conditions across Maharashtra. Speaking to reporters in Baramati on Saturday, the veteran leader emphasized that despite upcoming political events, the welfare of the drought-affected population remains the top priority.
Focus shifts to drought relief ahead of PM's visit
The remarks from Sharad Pawar come at a significant time, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Baramati on November 3. Addressing the media, Pawar made it clear that the political calendar does not overshadow the immediate humanitarian crisis. “PM Modi will visit Baramati on November 3. Today, our whole attention is on helping those affected by drought,” he stated.
The state is currently grappling with intense concerns regarding water and rainfall shortages, leading to urgent demands for relief measures to support farmers, agricultural labourers, and other vulnerable communities.
A crisis worse than 1972?
The severity of the situation was previously highlighted by NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar, who described the current drought as a critical emergency. He claimed that the conditions in Maharashtra are even more dire than the historic drought of 1972. To combat this, Rohit Pawar has put forward a series of aggressive demands for the state government, including:
- An immediate halt to all debt recovery processes.
- A complete loan waiver for farmers impacted by the drought.
- A full waiver of electricity bills for farmers if no other concessions are provided.
- Waivers for school fees for students living in drought-stricken regions.
- Direct financial assistance for those owning livestock, such as cows, bulls, sheep, and goats.
Conflicting government policies questioned
The opposition has also raised questions regarding the consistency of the state government's response. Rohit Pawar pointed out discrepancies between statements made by high-ranking officials, specifically noting the difference between the promises of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the policy-based approach mentioned by Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan. “The Chief Minister says we will help immediately, but Minister Girish Mahajan says we will help according to the policy. So what is the policy?” he questioned.
The grim reality of rainfall deficits
The data paints a troubling picture of the monsoon season in Maharashtra. According to figures cited by Rohit Pawar, the state recorded an overall rainfall deficit of 20 per cent as of September 27. The monthly breakdown reveals extreme volatility:
- June: 40 per cent below normal rainfall.
- July: 110 per cent rainfall recorded.
- August: 51 per cent deficit.
- September: 49 per cent deficit.
Regional deficits are also widespread, with Nashik and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar seeing a 34 per cent drop, Pune at 32 per cent, Nagpur at 25 per cent, and Konkan at 9.8 per cent.
Beyond the lack of rain, the economic impact on the farming community is staggering. It is estimated that farmers have had to spend approximately Rs 95,500 crore from their own pockets, while they could have potentially earned upwards of Rs 1.28 lakh crore had they received fairer prices for their produce. To better understand these ground realities, Rohit Pawar has been conducting video conferences with farmers from various parts of the state to hear their struggles firsthand.