Nagpur: Allaying fears of farmers whose farmlands are not in the list of 265 talukas declared as drought-like under Trigger-1 by Maharashtra, CM Devendra Fadnavis said the list can be expanded later under Trigger-3 norms.Speaking in Nagpur on Sunday regarding complaints of farmers that their taluka was left out of the list, Fadnavis said, “I promise that no farmer will be deprived of drought relief; our govt firmly stands behind everyone whose crops have been impacted by drought.”While assessments have started under Trigger-1, Fadnavis said, “Even if your taluka’s name is not there in Saturday’s list, govt will conduct a survey. We have received demands from some places for inclusion in the list; hence, we will definitely take cognisance. After the survey of losses, we will bring them under Trigger-3.”On water conservation, Fadnavis said every district had been asked to prepare a water budget. “We have set aside enough water from available stock to last till around July-Aug 2027. Wherever there is water beyond that, it can be used elsewhere, for rabi crops or for industry, depending on the need,” he said. Fadnavis said the call about water budgeting would be taken at both district and taluka levels, so that the solution is customised to local conditions.He cited experts to flag a further weather risk. “The El Nino effect is still going to peak. As per experts, it will peak in February,” Fadnavis said, adding that the state needs to stay prepared in case the effect worsened.On whether the drought compensation will impact the budget, Fadnavis said, “I think in a situation like this we generally need to stay sensitive. Essential things still have to be done, but some expenses can be scaled down or even avoided. Whatever money we can put into the drought effort, whether it is fodder or something else, everyone should try to do that.”
