Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has directed officials to clear pending payments to farmers whose private wells were used to address water scarcity, setting November 20 as the deadline amid a drought declaration covering 304 of the state’s 358 talukas.
Bawankule issued the directive at a meeting of the state Cabinet subcommittee on drought mitigation, according to an official statement reported by PTI. He warned that farmers could refuse to allow their wells to be requisitioned again if the outstanding dues were not paid.
Private wells have been used over the past two years to support water availability during shortages. The payment direction places the immediate focus on the state’s obligations to landowners whose local water assets have been brought into a wider public response. The official statement did not specify the total amount pending or the number of farmers awaiting payment.
The subcommittee also reviewed measures covering drinking water, agricultural protection, employment and rural credit. Officials were directed to expedite incomplete works under the Jal Jeevan Mission, with priority to the remaining 25 per cent of projects. Around 75 per cent of works under the centrally sponsored scheme have been completed in Maharashtra, the statement said.
The review comes as the state has declared drought in 304 talukas, representing nearly 85 per cent of Maharashtra’s 358 talukas. The government has announced initial assistance of Rs 5,000 for affected farmers ahead of Diwali. The statement did not provide a district-wise breakdown of the relief already distributed.
The government has also decided to make at least Rs 500 crore available for schemes costing less than Rs 5 crore. Planning for these interventions will be undertaken over the next three months in accordance with guidelines issued by the Centre. Allocations to District Planning Committees are to be increased, while Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and District Planning Committee schemes will be integrated to avoid duplication of work.
Employment support is another part of the response. Bawankule said a high-level committee headed by the Chief Secretary would examine a proposal to increase wages for workers engaged under the state’s job guarantee scheme. A government resolution on the proposal is expected within 10 days, according to the report.
The subcommittee also directed officials to prepare a standard operating procedure for extending central and state government benefits to four to five lakh families cultivating government, temple or other land without formal records. Farmers cultivating fallow and other land will be permitted to grow crops including jowar, maize and gram, the statement said.
Water-source revival, orchard protection and fodder movement were included in the measures. Fodder is to be transferred from surplus districts to areas facing shortages, while proposals for 13 drought-affected districts are to be expedited. Officials must submit detailed reports by November 15 on talukas where a drought declaration may be required. The possibility of adding 13 more talukas to the drought-hit list is also under examination.
The meeting further addressed complaints of alleged coercive recovery by microfinance companies, particularly in Nanded and Latur. Company representatives were questioned over allegations that loans exceeded 50 per cent of borrowers’ incomes. Bawankule warned firms against forced recovery from farmers and women during drought-like conditions and directed them to restructure eligible loans under applicable rules. The statement said many such loans are issued in women’s names, with limits of around Rs 55,000 and repayment periods of two years.
The immediate milestones are the November 15 reports on possible additional drought declarations, the proposed government resolution on job-guarantee wages within 10 days and the November 20 deadline for clearing well-related dues.
