In a bid to woo farmers just before the Budget 2019, the central government on Tuesday came out with financial aid worth Rs 4,714.28 crore for drought-hit Maharashtra. The western state is presently battling severe drought conditions, which has resulted in some substantial losses.
This was the second assistance after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had announced aid of Rs 2,900 crore for to help the grief-stricken farmers few days back.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had taken this decision in a high-powered committee held in New Delhi. The aid has been sanctioned from the National Disaster Relief Fund. Apart from this, the committee has also released funds for five more states and one Union Territory worth Rs 7214.30 crore to tackle for floods, drought and cyclone.
In October 2018, Fadnavis had asked the Centre for financial aid worth Rs 7,962 crore. This came after the state government had announced drought in 151 out of 355 talukas in Maharashtra.
As per the state officials, the sanctioned funds are likely to reach the state by February-March.
Although the federal government has not sanctioned the entire Rs 7,962 crore demand by Maharashtra, but by far this aid of Rs 4,714.28 crore is one of the highest relief packages that the state has received in the last few years.
Image Credits – Times Now
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