Full Breakdown
Sharad Pawar Tours Drought-Hit Talukas in Pune District
By Drooid · · How we work
Tour Overview
Former Union agriculture minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharadchandra Pawar began a tour of drought-affected talukas in Pune district, starting from his hometown Baramati and moving to Purandar and Daund. During the visits, he met farmers who reported severe crop loss, water scarcity, and financial strain. Pawar said he would raise these concerns with Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Farmers’ Grievances
Farmers in Purandar described Kharif crops damaged by inadequate rainfall and expressed anxiety about feeding livestock and protecting surviving crops. They requested immediate drinking water for cattle, fodder supplies, and direct monetary assistance to offset crop damage.
Pawar’s Demands
Pawar outlined several relief measures he expects the state government to adopt:
- A 100 % waiver of loans for farmers, self-help groups, and related entities from public-sector banks, cooperative banks, and credit societies.
- Relaxation of norms under the employment-guarantee scheme and deployment of water tankers.
- Provision of Rs 1 lakh per hectare in compensation to affected farmers.
- Inclusion of additional talukas, such as the entire Purandar taluka, in the official list of drought-affected areas.
- A halt to electricity disconnections for agricultural pumps.
He noted that he had already written to the chief minister on September 27 outlining these demands and urged the convening of a three-day special assembly session to discuss relief measures.
Verbatim Quotes
- “A large section of farmers in the state is in crisis due to poor rainfall. I have already written to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on September 27, listing several demands, including adequate compensation for farmers,” — Sharadchandra Pawar, chief
- “The main concern of farmers is how they will sustain themselves when their crops have failed. They also need to make arrangements for their livestock. The crops that have survived need to be protected. I have urged the chief minister to provide all necessary assistance to farmers to help them face and overcome the crisis,” — Sharadchandra Pawar, chief
- “At present, the primary challenge for farmers is to save their standing crops. There is deep concern that if it does not rain in the next few days, the crops will be completely lost.” — Sharadchandra Pawar, chief
Next Steps
Pawar indicated that after completing his assessment of other drought-hit villages, he will meet chief minister Fadnavis to present the farmers’ feedback and seek a comprehensive relief plan. He also called for the state government to act promptly on the listed demands to mitigate the ongoing crisis.