AMID the Opposition’s demand to declare a drought in Maharashtra, the state government said the situation would be assessed through a three-stage process. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said “drought relief” measures have already begun. “The government would not wait for Central assistance to help farmers facing distress due to inadequate rainfall,” he said.

Formal process

Fadnavis explained that formally declaring a drought and implementing relief measures were different. Under the NDRF framework, certain steps must be completed before a drought can be declared and Central assistance sought. “A formal crop-loss assessment would be carried out after October 5 as required under the rules, following which the state would seek assistance from the Centre,” he told reporters.