Maharashtra govt seeks 7,000 cr for drought relief

The Maharashtra government will seek an assistance of Rs 7,000 crore from the Centre for drought relief.

Parts of Maharashtra particularly the Marathwada region is reeling under severe drought. "We are working on all kinds of assistance for drought-affected regions. We have also drafted a proposal requesting an assistance of Rs 7,000 crore from the Government of India," the chief minister said at a review meeting in Osmanabad, one of the worst-affected districts of Marathwada.

On October 23, the Maharashtra government had declared drought-like situation in 180 tehsils of the state. On October 31, the Fadnavis-government declared drought in 151 tehsils in 26 of the total 36 districts.

The Marathwada and Vidarbha areas are worst affected with eight districts affected in each region, followed by five in North Maharashtra, four in Western Maharashtra and one in Konkan region.

A Central team is also expected to tour Maharashtra shortly. The winter session of the Maharashtra Assembly commences on November 19. The drought is going to be a major political issue.

The principal Opposition parties the - Congress and the NCP had targetted the BJP-Shiv Sena government for what it states their failure to handle the situation.

The Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan, the flagship programme of Fadnavis too had come under fire from the Opposition.