Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Maharashtra Announces Loan Relief and Wider Drought Coverage for Farmers
Maharashtra is facing a serious drought because there has not been enough rain.
The state government announced help for farmers and other rural residents.
Banks must stop collecting agricultural loan payments in drought-hit areas for now.
They must also restructure existing crop loans and provide new credit for the next farming season.
More than 305 talukas are now included in drought-relief measures, although the broader 12-point package is described as covering 265 talukas.
The government is spending Rs 6,728 crore on local jobs and water-related projects.
Students in affected areas will not have to pay certain examination fees.
The state will also help with land revenue, electricity bills, drinking water, foodgrain supplies and cattle fodder.
Maharashtra has stayed agricultural loan recoveries in drought-hit regions and ordered crop-loan restructuring by April 30, 2027.
Banks must continue providing fresh crop credit for the upcoming Kharif season.
The government added 43 talukas to the drought list, bringing more than 305 talukas under Trigger-1 measures.
A Rs 6,728 crore allocation will fund rural employment projects, including irrigation, cattle sheds and water-conservation work.
The relief package includes land-revenue waivers, electricity-bill concessions, exam-fee waivers and drinking-water and fodder measures.
- Who
- The Maharashtra government, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with banks, local administrations and affected farmers.
- What
- A drought-relief package providing loan-recovery relief, crop-loan restructuring, expanded drought coverage, rural employment and other concessions.
- When
- The announcement was made on Thursday; crop-loan restructuring must be completed by April 30, 2027, and fresh credit is planned for the upcoming Kharif season.
- Where
- Drought-affected regions and designated scarcity villages across Maharashtra.
- Why
- Persistent rainfall deficits and heightened El Niño threats have caused severe drought, damaging crops and worsening drinking-water shortages.
- Loan recovery
- Agricultural loan recoveries have been stayed across drought-hit regions.
- Loan restructuring deadline
- Banks must complete existing crop-loan restructuring by April 30, 2027.
- Drought coverage
- More than 305 talukas, nearly 75% of Maharashtra, are covered under Trigger-1 measures.
- Employment funding
- Rs 6,728 crore has been unlocked for rural employment and local development projects.
- Student relief
- Examination fees are waived for Class 10 and Class 12 students in designated drought-affected regions.
- Electricity relief
- Agricultural pump users above 7.5 HP will receive electricity-bill exemptions or concessions; pumps up to 7.5 HP are already waived.
- Additional measures
- The package includes land-revenue waivers, water tankers, fodder supplies, foodgrain distribution and water-conservation works.