Maharashtra CM Announces 12 Drought Relief Measures and Damage...

By GT24x7 Reporter · 27 September 2026 · GlobalToday24x7

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday confirmed that the state administration has initiated 12 key drought relief measures alongside comprehensive crop damage assessments (panchnamas) following deficient rainfall during the Kharif season. Addressing a press conference in Nagpur, the Chief Minister reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting the agrarian sector, assuring that every affected farmer—including those in talukas currently outside the primary notification list—will receive appropriate state assistance under subsequent evaluation triggers.

The announcement comes a day after the state government formally declared drought conditions in 265 of Maharashtra's 358 talukas under Trigger-1 of the Drought Management Code. Ground-level revenue and agriculture officials have been instructed to record farmland conditions using geotagged photographs and GPS coordinates to ensure transparent evaluation of crop losses.

Comprehensive 12-Point Relief Package Activated

To alleviate financial stress on rural households, the government has mandated immediate executive relief through a 12-point policy framework. Key interventions include an immediate stay on the recovery of agricultural bank loans, restructuring of existing crop debts, and complete exemption from land revenue charges. Furthermore, current electricity bill exemptions have been extended to agricultural pumps exceeding 7.5 HP capacity, complementing earlier relief decisions for lower-capacity pumps.

The administrative framework also provides school and college examination fee waivers for students in notified talukas, alongside relaxed employment norms under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to generate localized wage work. Essential provisions for drinking water tankers, cattle fodder availability, and uninterrupted power supply for farm irrigation remain central to the state's field response.

El Niño Projections and Regional Water Resource Management

Highlighting meteorological forecasts, Chief Minister Fadnavis noted that expert assessments indicate the active El Niño phenomenon—characterized by unusual Pacific Ocean surface heating—is expected to peak around February before gradually subsiding. In light of prolonged precipitation deficits, the state leadership directed every district administration to draft calibrated water utilization plans aimed at preserving adequate drinking water reservoirs through July-August 2027.

"Instead of applying a blanket approach across all regions, water allocation decisions for Rabi crops or industrial sectors will depend strictly on localized reservoir levels after securing long-term drinking water quotas," Fadnavis stated. He further called for social sensitivity across public and private sectors, encouraging voluntary contributions toward state drought mitigation funds and community fodder distribution drives.

Political Exchanges Surrounding Administrative Preparedness

During the press interaction, the Chief Minister responded to queries regarding political criticisms raised by opposition leaders, including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and representatives of minor political outfits. Fadnavis dismissed allegations concerning administrative lethargy and institutional functioning, accusing political adversaries of propagating misleading narratives to undermine public trust in constitutional machinery and electoral authorities.

Opposition alliances continue to push for an immediate expansion of direct financial compensation per hectare, demanding broader coverage across unlisted sub-divisions facing erratic rainfall patterns. State authorities reiterated that direct financial assistance packages will be formally announced through dedicated government resolutions upon the completion and verification of ground survey data.