Maharashtra Declares Drought in 265 Talukas

• Drought declared in 265 of Maharashtra’s 358 talukas.
• Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division has the highest number of affected talukas.
• Crop-loss assessments ordered across drought-hit areas.
• Relief includes loan restructuring, revenue concessions and power subsidies.

GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 26th Sept: The Maharashtra government has declared drought in 265 of the state’s 358 talukas, covering nearly 74 per cent of the state, amid a significant rainfall deficit. The government has announced a package of relief measures, including crop loan restructuring, land revenue concessions and electricity bill subsidies.

A government resolution (GR) issued on Friday said the 265 affected talukas are spread across 32 districts, with the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division accounting for the highest number at 74.

A separate government order issued on Saturday said financial assistance for crop losses would be announced after completion of the prescribed procedure and field-level assessment.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed district collectors to immediately begin assessing crop damage. He said farmers would remain at the centre of the government’s relief efforts. Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar said the quantum of financial assistance would be decided after ground-level assessments.

The government has activated ‘Trigger-1’ under the Drought Management Code 2016, updated in 2020, to declare drought conditions and initiate relief measures. Trigger-1 is activated when rainfall is more than 25 per cent below normal and is accompanied by a dry spell of at least 21 days.

According to a report submitted by the Agriculture Commissioner, drought-like conditions have emerged in the 265 talukas because of rainfall deficiency and other factors since June.

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division has the highest number of affected talukas at 74, followed by Amravati with 56, Nashik with 49, Nagpur with 39, Pune with 35 and Thane with 12.

District collectors have been directed to conduct crop-loss assessments and collect photographs and GPS coordinates of surveyed areas. The reports will be submitted to the government through the Agriculture Commissioner.

Relief measures announced
The government has announced land revenue concessions, restructuring of crop loans, postponement of recovery of agriculture-related loans and concessions on electricity bills for agricultural pumps.

Electricity bills for agricultural pumps of up to 7.5 horsepower have already been waived, while the newly announced concession will cover pumps above that capacity in the affected areas.

Other measures include waiving examination fees for school and college students, relaxing norms under the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, deploying water tankers and ensuring uninterrupted power supply to agricultural pumps in villages facing water scarcity.

The government has also directed authorities to ensure adequate foodgrains for farmers and agricultural labourers, fodder for livestock, water conservation works and drinking water arrangements for people and animals.

Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne said officials would conduct transparent crop-loss surveys, undertake crop-cutting experiments on an urgent basis and ensure that farmers receive benefits under crop insurance and other government schemes.

“It is extremely painful to watch standing crops being lost before the eyes of farmers. Therefore, we do not want to stop at merely declaring drought, but want to ensure that actual assistance reaches farmers,” Bharne said.

Opposition seeks immediate compensation
Opposition parties have questioned the government’s decision to defer financial assistance until completion of field surveys and sought clarity on the timeline and quantum of compensation.

Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal demanded compensation of ₹1 lakh per hectare, along with a loan waiver, free seeds and fertilisers for the rabi season, adequate fodder and cattle feed, education fee waivers and assistance for agricultural labourers.

NCP (SP) general secretary Mahesh Tapase also questioned the relief package, pointing to the government’s decision to announce crop-loss compensation only after further surveys and procedural steps.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, who began a two-day tour of drought-hit districts, said the focus should now be on implementing relief measures and ensuring assistance reaches every affected farmer.

The Kisan Sabha has demanded direct financial assistance, loan waivers and compensation linked to crop insurance coverage for farmers affected by consecutive failed kharif seasons.

According to government data, Maharashtra recorded an 18.8 per cent rainfall deficit, receiving 755.9 mm of rainfall between June and September 18 against the normal 932.3 mm.