Maharashtra rains: Drought-like situation in 18 districts, says minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule

Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Monday said 18 districts in the state were facing droughtlike conditions due to inadequate rainfall with a report on the situation set to be presented before the state Cabinet on TuesdayThe minister expressed hope that the situation across Maharashtra would improve with more rain over the next eight to 10 days news agency PTI reportedToday the data of 18 districts has come to me This data will be presented before the cabinet tomorrow We have identified 18 districts where the situation is particularly bad and I have received the report Bawankule told reportersHe said the state government had ordered a survey across Maharashtra to assess the situation with district collectors preparing reports In districts that have received good rainfall recently the government has ordered fresh surveys to reassess the situation Bawankule addedThe minister said nearly half of Maharashtras farmers were currently facing a droughtlike situation due to inadequate rainfallSome rain had occurred on Sunday The arrival of Lord Ganesha would bring more rainfall helping ease water scarcity and the droughtlike conditions in the state Bawankule saidHe said he expected the deficient rainfall to be made up over the next eight to 10 days and the droughtlike situation to recedeAppeal to avoid protests during Ganesh festivalBawankule also appealed to all political parties and individuals not to hold protests during the 12day Ganesh festival an apparent reference to the Maratha quota agitation led by Manoj JarangeJarange has announced that he will proceed to Mumbai to begin an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan from September 19 The Ganesh festival which began on Monday will continue until Anant Chaturdashi on September 25These days are not for any agitation in the state Bawankule said urging everyone to maintain unity and ensure that no incident or action tarnishes Maharashtra society or any individual during the festive periodHe said the government wanted the 10day festival to bring happiness enthusiasm and a sense of unity while encouraging people to make resolutions for their health and Maharashtras developmentRevenue department to introduce new lawsBawankule said the Devendra Fadnavis government had taken 107 Cabinet decisions related to the revenue department during its tenure aimed at protecting the property and rights of farmers agricultural labourers and citizensHe stated that the revenue department from talathis to district collectors had worked to protect peoples property and ensure their rights remained intactThe government will soon introduce twothree important laws including a Land Titling Act which Bawankule claimed was in force in 80 countries but had not been adopted by any other state in IndiaUnder the proposed legislation citizens would get definitive property cards he saidWhile 712 extracts registration documents or deeds currently establish ownership records the government wants to provide people with a more certain title to their property Bawankule statedHe also announced a proposed law based on the principle of first measurement then registrationUnder this property cannot be registered without prior measurement It would help prevent disputes over property boundaries and ownership the minister saidRoads to farms under flagship schemeBawankule stated that the governments flagship Mukhyamantri Baliraja Shet Raste Yojana would seek to provide farmers with roads to their agricultural fields over the next five yearsThe government will take responsibility for carrying out the work he addedWith PTI inputs