Maharashtra Chief Minister Unveils Drought Plan Seeking Central Aid
Devendra Fadnavis announced a state-wide drought assistance plan and requested increased financial aid from the central government to support farmers and livestock.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis unveiled a state-wide drought assistance plan on October 11, 2026, following a severe agricultural crisis. Unpredictable weather and a rainfall deficit of 18% below normal destroyed crops across 147 lakh hectares, specifically impacting soybean, cotton, tur, maize, and sugarcane. The state officially declared 265 out of 358 talukas as drought-affected, with the Marathwada and Vidarbha regions suffering the most significant losses.
To secure relief, Fadnavis met with central drought inspection teams on October 10 and announced the submission of a detailed memorandum to the Union government for increased financial assistance. Three central assessment teams visited districts including Ahilyanagar, Solapur, and Jalna to evaluate the damage. The Union Home Minister has since assured the state that an inter-ministerial group will meet to expedite relief and crop insurance benefits.
The state government activated a 12-point relief package that includes student fee waivers, power bill discounts, and mandatory water reservations. To ensure survival through the summer, the government is prioritizing drinking water for humans and livestock via technology-managed tanker supplies and the rejuvenation of village water storage structures. Fadnavis stated that assistance would be extended to any farmer suffering crop loss, regardless of whether their village meets formal drought criteria.
