Mumbai, Sep 21 (UNI) Maharashtra Co-operation Minister Babasaheb Patil today assured that the state

Mumbai, Sep 21 (UNI) Maharashtra Co-operation Minister Babasaheb Patil today assured that the state government will officially declare a 100 per cent drought by the end of September, even as the administration drew flak over its handling of agrarian distress and relief measures. Addressing a press conference here, Patil termed the current dry spell one of the worst he has witnessed in his lifetime, noting extensive damage to key Kharif crops including soybean, cotton and sugarcane. He affirmed that financial assistance would be disbursed strictly in accordance with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) norms. Replying to queries regarding the temporary…