Maharashtra drought: Bawankule sets November 20 deadline to clear farmers’ pending irrigation dues

Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday set a deadline to clear farmersrsquo irrigation dues He directed officials to clear pending dues to farmers whose private wells had been used to address water scarcity over the past two years by November 20Bawankule warned that farmers may refuse to allow their wells to be requisitioned again if the pending payments are not cleared PTI reportedBawankule said a highlevel committee headed by the Chief Secretary had been constituted to examine a proposal to increase wages for workers engaged under the job guarantee scheme VBG RAM G A government resolution on the proposal is expected within 10 daysBawankule who heads the state Cabinet subcommittee on drought mitigation announced several measures to provide relief to affected farmers and rural communities including the directiveThe subcommittee which met on Wednesday reviewed the Maharashtra drought situation and decided to expedite incomplete works under the Jal Jeevan Mission protect orchards and facilitate the transfer of fodder from surplus districts to those facing shortages75 per cent of Jal Jeevan Mission works completedAround 75 per cent of the works under the Jal Jeevan Mission a centrally sponsored water scheme have been completed while the remaining 25 per cent have been directed to be taken up on priority an official statement saidThe Maharashtra government has declared drought in 304 of the states 358 talukas covering nearly 85 per cent of the state It has also announced an initial relief of Rs 5000 each for farmers to provide immediate assistance ahead of DiwaliBawankule directed officials to clear by November 20 the pending dues owed to farmers whose private wells had been used to address water scarcity over the past two years PTI reportedThe minister warned that farmers could refuse to allow their wells to be requisitioned again if the payments were not made the statement saidRs 500 crore for schemes costing less than Rs 5 croreThe government has decided to make available at least Rs 500 crore for schemes costing less than Rs 5 crore It will also undertake planning over the next three months in accordance with the Centres guidelines the statement saidThe government will increase allocations to District Planning Committees DPCs and integrate MGNREGA and DPC schemes to avoid duplication of workBawankule also directed officials to prepare a standard operating procedure SOP to ensure that four to five lakh families cultivating government temple or other lands without formal records receive benefits under central and state government schemesFarmers cultivating fallow and other lands will also be permitted to grow crops such as jowar maize and gram the statement addedReports on 13 droughtaffected districts by November 15The subcommittee directed officials to revive water sources protect horticultural crops and expedite proposals covering 13 droughtaffected districtsOfficials have been asked to submit detailed reports by November 15 on talukas where a drought declaration may be necessary The possibility of including 13 more talukas in the droughthit list is also being examined the statement saidBawankule warns microfinance firms against coercive loan recoveryThe subcommittee also discussed complaints of alleged coercive recovery practices by microfinance companies in rural areas particularly in Nanded and LaturRepresentatives of the companies were summoned and questioned over allegations that they were lending amounts exceeding 50 per cent of borrowers incomes in violation of norms the statement said PTI reportedBawankule warned microfinance firms against forcibly recovering loans from farmers and women amid droughtlike conditionsMost such loans are issued in womens names with limits of around Rs 55000 and repayment periods of two years The companies were directed to restructure eligible loans in accordance with the rules instead of resorting to coercive recovery when borrowers are unable to repay due to drought the statement addedWith PTI inputs