Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Rohit Pawar Seeks Marathwada Drought Declaration, Farmer Aid
Rohit Pawar visited farmers in parts of Marathwada and said many crops had been badly damaged.
He blamed the damage on long periods without enough rain.
He asked the Maharashtra government to officially declare a drought.
He wants farmers to receive Rs 50,000 for every hectare of damaged land.
He also wants farm labourers to receive Rs 25,000.
Pawar asked officials to record crop losses and open fodder camps for animals.
He said farmers could otherwise be forced to sell their livestock cheaply.
The agriculture minister said low rainfall had affected crops in 76 tehsils and could cause shortages of fodder and drinking water.
NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar urged Maharashtra to declare drought across Marathwada.
He sought Rs 50,000 per hectare for farmers and Rs 25,000 for farm labourers.
Pawar said prolonged dry spells had destroyed crops across parts of the eight-district region.
He called for fodder camps, immediate pending aid, and crop-loss assessments to begin.
Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne said low rainfall affected crops across 76 Marathwada tehsils.
- Who
- NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar urged the Maharashtra government to act; Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne described the regional impact of low rainfall.
- What
- Pawar demanded a drought declaration for Marathwada, financial assistance, crop-loss assessments, and fodder camps.
- When
- Pawar made the demands on Sunday, September 20, after visiting affected farmers.
- Where
- The affected areas include Dharashiv, Beed, Latur, and other parts of Maharashtra’s eight-district Marathwada region.
- Why
- Prolonged dry spells and low rainfall have damaged crops and raised concerns about fodder and drinking-water shortages.
Rohit Pawar’s Demands
Official Assessment
Severity of rainfall shortfall
Rohit Pawar’s Demands
Pawar said farmers’ assessment suggested Latur’s rainfall deficit was closer to 60 per cent and that crops had been completely damaged in areas he visited.
Official Assessment
The official figures cited by Pawar indicated a 40 per cent rainfall deficit in Latur; Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne said low rainfall had affected crops across 76 Marathwada tehsils.
Government response
Rohit Pawar’s Demands
Pawar said drought should be declared immediately, crop-loss assessments should begin, and direct aid and fodder camps should be provided.
Official Assessment
The report does not state that the Maharashtra government had accepted Pawar’s demands; it reports the minister’s assessment that fodder and drinking-water shortages were possible.
- Requested farmer assistance
- Rs 50,000 per hectare, in addition to crop-insurance compensation
- Requested labourer assistance
- Rs 25,000 for farm labourers
- Reported rainfall deficit
- Official figures cited a 40 per cent deficit in Latur; Pawar said farmers assessed it closer to 60 per cent
- Affected area
- Crops across 76 tehsils in Marathwada have reportedly been affected
- Additional demands
- Fodder camps, immediate release of pending assistance, and crop-loss panchnamas
- Legislative request
- Pawar called for a special Maharashtra legislature session within five to six days
- Insurance comparison
- Pawar referred to crop-insurance payments reportedly being initiated in neighbouring Karnataka