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Maharashtra seeks Rs 11000 cr package from Centre
Maharashtra
has sought a Rs 11,000 crore special financial package form the Centre to fight drought across the state, mainly the paddy belt and main kharif crop of soyabean. "The chief secretary has already forwarded the request," state agriculture minister Balasaheb Thorat said here on Friday. Thorat, who is also guardian minister of Nagpur district, rushed here to review the swine flu situation even as five HlNlpositive cases were reported in the city till date.
He said the government has already declared drought-like situation in 157 talukas in the state where rainfall has been scanty. "We are hoping that it rains a few spells in the next week so that the standing crop is not affected. But divisional commissioners have been asked to update with the latest situation and if situation worsens with the extended dry spell, the matter would be up discussed again in the state cabinet and more talukas could be declared drought-hit," said Thorat.
The minister confirmed that paddy transplantation could not take place in over 30% areas in paddy belt of eastern Vidarbha. "This paddy belt traditionally used to have an assured high rainfall but the situation is alarming this time," the minister added suspecting it to be part of global warming phenomenon causing drastic changes in climatic conditions. The minister's observations echoed widespread concerns that surfaced in the extensive coverage by Tol on the droughtlike situation through a series of features this week after its correspondents toured the affected areas in the region and the country. "It hardly rained in June and July rains proved deceptive as sowing was completed in 99% of land under cultivation when the skies unexpectedly went dry," explained Thorat.
Maharashtra is a major farming state contributing to the nation. While cotton was sown in 33 lakh hectares, soyabean in 28 lakh hectares, Thorat informed. "But poor rains may cause at least 30% drop in crops like soyabean and paddy," said Thorat.
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