The Maharashtra government on Tuesday decided to implement a programme to provide assured and protected irrigation in 251 rain-fed talukas hit by chronic drought, farmers’ suicides, and Left-wing extremism.
The Mukhyamantri Shashwat Krushi Sinchan Yojana (Chief Minister’s Assured Agriculture Irrigation Scheme), with a budget of ₹450 crore for the 2019-20 financial year, received the state cabinet’s approval on Tuesday.
An official at chief minister Devendra Fadnavis’ office, who requested anonymity, said the programme follows the Narendra Modi government’s emphasis on solving India’s water crisis and doubling farmers’ income by 2022.
The official pointed out that the kin of those farmers who have committed suicides, widows, and rural women who are farmers will be given priority when selecting the beneficiaries under the scheme.