Mulshi taluka in Pune district has been left out of the Maharashtra government’s drought-affected list, denying farmers access to a package of 12 relief measures despite reported crop losses and water stress, according to a report by Sakal.
The exclusion means that farmers in Mulshi will not receive concessions and support extended as a special measure to farmers in 305 drought-affected talukas across the state. The measures include land revenue concessions, restructuring of crop loans, a temporary halt to recovery of agriculture-related loans and relief on electricity bills for eligible agricultural pumps.
The package also includes exemptions from examination fees for school and college students, relaxed eligibility norms for works under the rural employment guarantee programme, tanker-based drinking water supply where required and protection against disconnection of agricultural electricity connections in villages officially declared to be facing scarcity.
Other provisions cover arrangements to prevent foodgrain shortages among farmers and agricultural labourers, fodder supply for livestock, water conservation works and planning for drinking water for people and animals. Electricity charges for agricultural pumps up to 7.5 horsepower have already been waived, while the reported drought package would apply to higher-capacity pumps where eligible.
Farmers cited in the report said that rainfall had remained absent across parts of Mulshi for five weeks, damaging paddy cultivation during the kharif season. They also said that the coming rabi season could be affected because of the prevailing dry conditions. The farmers questioned why Mulshi was excluded when neighbouring Bhor and Rajgad talukas were included in the drought-affected list.
The dispute centres on the criteria used to identify drought-affected talukas. The report said the government used Trigger One criteria to include 305 talukas, while farmers and local representatives have sought clarity on why the same assessment did not result in Mulshi’s inclusion. Local elected representatives and political leaders have reportedly raised the issue through letters sent from the tehsildar’s office to the chief minister’s office. A bullock-cart march was also held, but farmers said their demands had not received a response from the government.
Farmers have also raised the issue of compensation for crop damage caused by rainfall between June and October last year. According to the report, some affected farmers are still awaiting compensation and the position of the government and administration on those payments remains unclear.
The exclusion could also affect farmers who purchased crop insurance this year. Farmers cited by Sakal said that establishing claims may become difficult if the area is not officially recognised as facing drought-like conditions, even though crop losses have been reported locally.
The immediate administrative question is whether Mulshi will be reassessed under the drought criteria and whether the state will extend any relief measures to the taluka. Until such a decision is announced, farmers in Mulshi will remain outside the 12-measure package available to the 305 listed talukas.
