Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Rohit Pawar Seeks Immediate Drought Relief For Marathwada Farmers
Many farmers in Marathwada say their crops dried up because there was not enough rain.
Rohit Pawar visited villages in Beed and other districts to see the damage.
He asked the Maharashtra government to officially declare a drought.
He wants money given directly to farmers and farm labourers.
He also asked officials to start checking crop losses quickly.
Pawar said animals may not have enough fodder and farmers could be forced to sell them cheaply.
Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne said crops in 76 tehsils were affected.
He said the government would provide help and protect drinking water, fodder and electricity supplies.
The two sides differ over how quickly and extensively the drought response should proceed.
Rohit Pawar urged Maharashtra to immediately declare a drought in Marathwada.
He sought ₹50,000 per hectare for farmers and ₹25,000 for farm labourers.
Pawar said crop-loss assessments had not begun in many areas pending government orders.
He also called for fodder camps, drinking water, power supplies and pending aid.
Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne said drought conditions affected crops across 76 Marathwada tehsils.
- Who
- NCP-SP MLA Rohit Pawar, other party leaders, affected farmers and Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne.
- What
- Pawar demanded an immediate drought declaration and financial and logistical relief for farmers and farm labourers in Marathwada.
- When
- Pawar made the demands after a Sunday field visit; Bharne spoke on Saturday.
- Where
- The affected areas include Beed district, Ambajogai tehsil, Dharashiv and Latur in Maharashtra’s Marathwada region.
- Why
- Prolonged dry spells and inadequate rainfall reportedly damaged crops and created concerns about fodder and drinking-water shortages.
Pawar’s Relief Demands
Government’s Response
Drought declaration
Pawar’s Relief Demands
Rohit Pawar demanded that Maharashtra immediately declare a drought in Marathwada and convene a special legislative session within five to six days.
Government’s Response
Dattatray Bharne acknowledged crop impacts across 76 tehsils and said the government was committed to financial assistance and compensation, but the article does not report an immediate drought declaration.
Assessment of crop damage
Pawar’s Relief Demands
Pawar said field conditions showed severe damage and argued that official statistics did not fully reflect the situation faced by farmers.
Government’s Response
The agriculture minister’s statement presented a government assessment covering 76 tehsils, while officials were directed to make arrangements for affected communities.
Immediate support priorities
Pawar’s Relief Demands
Pawar sought direct payments, pending previous-year assistance, loan-waiver benefits and fodder camps, saying delays could worsen farmers’ losses.
Government’s Response
Bharne directed officials to ensure drinking water, fodder and uninterrupted power in rural areas and said compensation would be provided.
- Requested farmer assistance
- ₹50,000 per hectare, in addition to crop-insurance compensation
- Requested labourer assistance
- ₹25,000 for farm labourers
- Reported government assessment
- Low rainfall and dry spells affected crops across 76 tehsils in Marathwada
- Field-visit locations
- Dagadwadi and Chanai villages in Ambajogai tehsil, Beed district
- Rainfall discrepancy
- Pawar cited an official 40% deficit in Latur but said farmers assessed it at nearly 60%
- Additional demands
- Drought declaration, crop-loss panchnamas, fodder camps and a special legislative session
- Government response
- Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne said assistance and compensation would be provided and directed officials to secure water, fodder and power