NASHIK: The state government has announced drought in 268 revenue circles in addition to the 151 talukas which had already been declared drought affected on October 30. Pune district , with 19 revenue circles, also features in the list of drought-affected villages. Revenue circles are a group of villages which together form a taluka Latur district, with 42 revenue circle villages, will be the biggest beneficiary of the new list. Buldhana with 21 revenue circles and Wardha with 19 revenue circles are also in the list of drought-affected villages. A total of 17 circles from Nashik district and 19 each from Kolhapur and Satara districts have been included in the list as well. The government’s move comes in the wake of demand by several villages and political leaders that villages of these talukas be included in the list as they received insufficient rainfall.According to the criteria announced by the government, villages that received less than 75% rainfall, but have not been included in the list of drought-hit talukas, have been included in the new list. A senior official from the Nashik district administration said the revenue circle-wise classification and identification of drought-affected areas in the best way of understanding the needs and progress of that region. "With this announcement, the state has been able to reach everyone and understand the requirements," said the official.

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