Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Fadnavis Seeks Special Central Aid for Maharashtra Drought
Maharashtra is facing a serious drought, which means there is not enough rain and water.
Officials are also worried about drinking water and fodder for animals.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ask the central government for help.
He gave Shah Maharashtra’s request for money through the National Disaster Response Fund.
Fadnavis also asked for extra relief for farmers and for officials to check the drought on the ground.
A Central team is expected to visit from October 8 to 11 and report what it finds.
The state says it has surveyed crops in about 23,000 villages.
It also says it declared the drought in September-end, earlier than it usually does.
The NDRF will decide on assistance after considering the state’s proposal and the team’s report.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Wednesday and submitted the state’s proposal for NDRF assistance.
Fadnavis requested special drought relief for farmers and asked the Centre to assess the situation promptly.
The articles report severe drought across 32 districts and 265 affected talukas; one says 20 additional talukas may soon be added to a drought-affected list.
A Central team is expected to survey affected areas from October 8 to 11 and submit its findings to the NDRF.
The state says crop-loss surveys are complete in about 23,000 villages and that drought was declared in September-end, earlier than in previous years.
- Who
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
- What
- Fadnavis submitted Maharashtra’s proposal for NDRF assistance and sought special drought relief for farmers.
- When
- The meeting took place on Wednesday; the Central team is expected to visit October 8–11. The articles do not specify the year.
- Where
- The meeting was in New Delhi; the drought-affected areas are in Maharashtra.
- Why
- Maharashtra is facing severe drought, with concerns about drinking water, fodder and crop losses.
State’s request
Central assessment process
Timing and scale of relief
State’s request
Fadnavis sought special assistance beyond normal relief measures and urged the Centre to expedite assessment, citing the scale of the drought and emerging water and fodder concerns.
Central assessment process
The articles say the assistance decision will follow consideration of Maharashtra’s proposal and the Central team’s report; the NDRF will make the final decision.
- Drought-affected districts
- 32 districts are described as facing severe drought.
- Affected talukas
- 265 of 358 talukas have been declared drought-affected; one article says 20 more may be added to a trigger list.
- Assistance requested
- Maximum possible support under NDRF norms and a special relief package for drought-affected farmers.
- Expected Central team visit
- October 8–11.
- Crop-loss surveys
- Completed in about 23,000 villages; remaining assessments are to be completed.
- Drought declaration
- Declared in September-end, earlier than the November or December timing described for previous years.
- NDRF decision process
- The NDRF will consider the state’s proposal and the Central team’s report.
