7 hrs ago
Maharashtra Drought List Puts Fadnavis Government Under Pressure
Maharashtra’s government made a list of 265 places it considers affected by drought.
Some politicians from the ruling alliance said their areas were unfairly left off the list.
Opposition parties said the list may have been influenced by politics.
They also questioned why some places that usually receive more rain were included.
The government says it used drought-related measures to prepare the list.
Some leaders want more help for farmers and farm workers.
They have asked for crop loans to be waived and larger cash assistance.
Devendra Fadnavis said areas left off the list can still receive help through other schemes.
The drought could reduce farming activity and spending in rural Maharashtra.
Maharashtra’s Mahayuti government notified 265 drought-hit talukas out of 358 across 36 districts.
Ruling-party leaders questioned why some constituencies were excluded, while the MVA alleged political bias.
The inclusion of relatively high-rainfall talukas such as Mahabaleshwar, Radhanagari and Shrivardhan raised assessment concerns.
Opposition leaders called the announced relief inadequate and sought crop-loan waivers and larger payments for farmers and labourers.
Devendra Fadnavis said excluded areas would receive assistance through other government schemes.
- Who
- The BJP-led Mahayuti government, its ministers and legislators, and Opposition MVA leaders are involved in the dispute.
- What
- The government’s notification identifying 265 drought-hit talukas has prompted allegations of political bias, questions about assessment methods, and demands for greater relief.
- Where
- Maharashtra, covering talukas across its 36 districts.
- When
- The list was announced on Saturday; the Chief Minister discussed assistance for excluded areas after a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
- Why
- The controversy arose because some ruling-party constituencies were excluded, some relatively high-rainfall talukas were included, and Opposition leaders said the relief was inadequate.
Government and Mahayuti Position
Opposition and Critics’ Position
Basis of the drought list
Government and Mahayuti Position
The government has identified 265 talukas through its drought notification and says areas excluded from the list can still receive assistance through other schemes.
Opposition and Critics’ Position
Opposition leaders and some ruling-party legislators question whether the selection followed objective indicators or political considerations.
Political fairness
Government and Mahayuti Position
The government’s notification includes several constituencies represented by ministers and other Mahayuti legislators, while the Chief Minister says assistance will not be denied solely because an area is excluded.
Opposition and Critics’ Position
The MVA alleges discriminatory politics, pointing to excluded areas represented by Opposition legislators and the omission of places such as Brahmapuri.
Adequacy of relief
Government and Mahayuti Position
The government has announced measures including farm-tax and examination-fee relief and has referred to broad compensation for farmers.
Opposition and Critics’ Position
Opposition leaders say these measures are inadequate and demand crop-loan waivers, Rs 1 lakh per hectare for farmers, and Rs 25,000 for farm labourers.
Key facts
- Drought-hit talukas notified
- 265
- Total talukas in Maharashtra
- 358 across 36 districts
- Government alliance
- BJP-led Mahayuti
- Opposition alliance
- Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)
- Relief demand
- Sharad Pawar sought Rs 1 lakh per hectare for farmers and Rs 25,000 for farm labourers.
- Government assurance
- Excluded areas will receive assistance through different schemes, according to Devendra Fadnavis.
- Economic concern
- The loss of the 2026 kharif season is expected to affect Maharashtra’s rural economy.
Quotes
Devendra Fadnavis
Maharashtra Chief Minister
“The government should feel ashamed for playing politics with drought. While farmers across Maharashtra are suffering from severe drought, the shameless Mahayuti government is engaging in discriminatory politics while declaring drought-affected areas.”
indianexpress.com
“On one hand, the CM says this is a drought more severe than the 1972 famine, and on the other, they announce utterly hollow relief measures”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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