Archive · 6 Oct 2026
Shinde Meets Modi as Maharashtra Seeks Drought Assistance
Maharashtra is facing a drought after receiving less rain than needed.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde met Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the problem.
Shinde said Modi asked about water, crops and food for farm animals.
The state has declared drought in 265 of its 358 talukas.
Shinde said Maharashtra asked the central government for help.
He said Modi assured the state of support.
A central team is expected to visit villages affected by drought, according to Shinde.
He also said farmers receive Rs 12,000 a year through central and state schemes.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday; an aide said the meeting lasted about an hour.
Shinde said Modi asked about water availability, agricultural conditions, fodder and crop damage, and assured the state of central support.
Maharashtra declared drought in 265 of its 358 talukas—74 per cent—on September 26 amid a rainfall deficit.
Shinde said the state presented demands for central assistance and that a central team would soon visit drought-hit villages.
Shinde said farmers receive Rs 12,000 annually through central and state schemes and that the government would support farmers in distress.
- Who
- Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- What
- They discussed the drought in Maharashtra and assistance for affected farmers.
- When
- Monday, October 5; the year is not specified. Maharashtra declared drought on September 26.
- Where
- The meeting took place in New Delhi; the drought affects Maharashtra.
- Why
- Shinde raised the drought and the state’s requests for central assistance amid a rainfall deficit.
- Meeting duration
- About one hour, according to an aide to Shinde.
- Drought declaration
- Maharashtra declared drought in 265 of 358 talukas on September 26.
- Share of talukas declared drought-hit
- 74 per cent.
- Farmer assistance cited by Shinde
- Rs 12,000 annually: Rs 6,000 under the Centre’s Shetkari Samman Yojana and Rs 6,000 through Maharashtra’s Namo Shetkari Yojana.
- Central team
- Shinde said a central team would soon visit drought-hit villages.
- Issues discussed
- Water availability, agricultural conditions, fodder for livestock and crop damage.
