Aurangabad: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said there would be no dearth of funds for drought-affected people in Beed district, while adding that nearly 80% of the cotton growers affected by pink bollworm had received compensation.The CM visited Beed on Monday to assess the drought situation and held a meeting with the officials concerned and people’s representatives over the means to fight the drought.After the meeting, the CM told reporters that the state government has already sent a Rs 7,000-crore proposal to the Centre for drought-mitigation efforts in Maharashtra. A central team is likely to visit the state soon but by that time, the state has already initiated moves to tackle the drought.He also said that Rs 265 crore had been earmarked for cotton growers affected by the pink bollworm. Already, 80% of the affected farmers have got the money in their accounts. The remaining would get it in a couple of days, he assured.He admitted that the drought situation in Beed district was “worst” as it had received less than 50% rain, while some areas had got less than 38% rainfall. “Drinking water situation in is grim as many of the 144 water projects have already gone dry. The two big irrigation projects and 42 other projects are almost dry, while storage has touched bottom in the remaining projects,” he said.He added, “The water left in the projects could be used for drinking purpose. But I doubt it will last for many days. We will make adequate drinking water supply arrangements.”The chief minister declared that effective arrangements are being put in place to supply fodder immediately in 3,180 villages, while the district administration has prepared a plan for 2,162 villages. Accompanied by Maratha leader Vinayak Mete, he said the government was making all out efforts to tackle the drought condition.Fadnavis pointed out that the entire kharif crop in 6.5 lakh hectare has been affected as shown through the ‘anewari’ (system to gauge the drought situation). Moreover, only 16% of rabi sowing had taken place in the district and the situation was not encouraging.Meanwhile, Dhananjay Munde, leader of the opposition in the legislative council, left the meeting within minutes. He told the reporters that he did not believe in the chief minister’s statement that 80% of the farmers had been compensated for the pink bollworm attack. “Farmers have not received money. Some got money as a part of ‘protsahan’ (encouragement) effort, but the banks have adjusted those sums against their loan dues,” he said.

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