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The Maharashtra Government has sought Rs 2,857 crore from the Centre as a drought relief aid, said Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan Chief Minister.
The CM briefed the media on the drought situation in the State on Wednesday after holding a closed door meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh.
Both the Union Ministers accompanied by senior officials of their respective departments are touring the State, visiting the drought affected areas.
Chavan said of the total demand about Rs 1,000 crore would be required for micro irrigation projects and Rs 580 crore for creating cement bunds for rainwater harvesting.
As an emergency measure Rs 367 crore has been released by the Union Rural Development Ministry for improving drinking supply in the state.
“The State is facing a severe drought-like situation. The Kharif crop season has been badly affected. About 228 taluks have not received adequate rainfall,” Chavan said.
The State Government has asked for additional outlay of funds from Central programmes, which are under implementation in the State.
The government has also asked for liberalising certain preconditions associated with these programmes so that Maharashtra could get the funds faster, said the CM.
Agriculture minister Sharad Pawar said that under the integrated watershed development programme, Maharashtra is eligible for Rs 502 crore and another Rs 200 for drinking water supply. The State would also be getting its share from the Rs 1,440 crore package for all the drought affected States.
Sharad Pawar said he has asked the State Government to prepare a list of pending irrigation projects, which could be completed within a year. Such projects could be discussed in the forthcoming Empowered Group of Ministers meeting.
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