Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Maharashtra Promises Drought Relief and Loan Waivers for Farmers
Maharashtra has received very little rain, so many farmers’ crops have dried up.
Soybean and tur crops have been badly damaged, and some wells, rivers and drains have dried up.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government will issue an official drought order soon.
Farmers may receive money directly in their bank accounts.
Help will also include drinking water, food grains, animal fodder and support for growing Rabi crops.
Farmers who were missed by an earlier loan-waiver scheme are expected to receive benefits.
The government will check crop damage from both the Kharif and Rabi seasons.
It plans to create water-conservation and employment projects in affected areas.
Opposition leaders say the government should declare drought more quickly and deliver assistance within a fixed deadline.
Maharashtra will issue a drought-related Government Resolution by Friday or within two days, providing assistance under the state’s first drought-code trigger.
Relief will include direct financial transfers, drinking water, livestock fodder, food grains, Rabi irrigation support and education assistance.
Farmers excluded from the 2016-17 loan-waiver scheme will be covered, while banks may be told to provide fresh loans and pause recoveries.
The government will assess Kharif and Rabi crop losses, procure produce at minimum support prices and expand water-conservation and employment works.
Officials reported severe rainfall deficits across Maharashtra, with 31 of 36 districts deficient and widespread soybean damage.
- Who
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, drought-affected farmers, state officials and opposition leaders.
- What
- The Maharashtra government announced an imminent drought order and a relief plan involving direct payments, loan-waiver coverage and emergency support.
- When
- The announcements were made on Thursday during Fadnavis’s rural tour; the Government Resolution was expected on Friday or within two days.
- Where
- Drought-affected parts of Maharashtra, including Washim, Latur, Marathwada, Solapur, Nilanga and Ausa.
- Why
- Extremely low and irregular rainfall has damaged crops, depleted water sources and threatened supplies of drinking water and livestock fodder.
Maharashtra Government
Opposition Leaders
Timing and form of drought declaration
Maharashtra Government
The government says it will issue a drought-related Government Resolution shortly, begin relief under Trigger 1 and potentially add areas later under Trigger 3 after assessment.
Opposition Leaders
Uddhav Thackeray has called for drought to be declared taluka by taluka and for a special session of the state legislature.
Delivery of assistance
Maharashtra Government
Fadnavis says the state will provide relief from its own resources, send payments directly to farmers and work to deliver assistance before Diwali.
Opposition Leaders
Thackeray has demanded a public drought dashboard and said assistance should reach farmers within 45 days; Vijay Wadettiwar sought Rs 50,000 for each affected farmer.
Political response
Maharashtra Government
Fadnavis says the government should focus on helping farmers rather than turning the crisis into a political dispute.
Opposition Leaders
The opposition says delays in crop assessments and relief require stronger legislative scrutiny and a comprehensive package.
- Drought order
- A Government Resolution was expected on Friday or within two days, with initial assistance under Trigger 1 of the state drought-management code.
- Rainfall deficit
- The India Meteorological Department reported that 31 of Maharashtra’s 36 districts were rain-deficient; 20 had deficits of 25% to 58%.
- Crop damage
- The main Kharif crop, sown across 147 lakh hectares, was reported destroyed, with widespread soybean losses.
- Direct assistance
- Drought relief is to be sent to eligible farmers through direct benefit transfers.
- Loan relief
- Farmers left out of the 2016-17 loan-waiver scheme are to be covered, and the scheme will continue until eligible farmers benefit.
- Additional support
- Plans include drinking water, cattle fodder, food grains, Rabi irrigation, education assistance, crop assessments and employment works.
- Procurement
- The state said it would procure agricultural produce at prescribed minimum support prices, with registration to begin soon.
