The decision follows CM Devendra Fadnavis’ recent visit to some drought-affected parts of the State. File
| Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam
Maharashtra Government on Saturday (September 26, 2026) issued a government resolution (GR) declaring drought in 265 of the State’s 358 talukas based on the Agriculture Commissioner’s report, following prolonged rainfall deficits causing crop loss in the State.
This covers major parts of Vidarbha, Marathwada, North Maharashtra and the Pune division. The worst-hit districts are Yavatmal (16 taluks), Jalgaon (15) and Ahilyanagar/Nagpur/Amravati/Nanded (14 each).
The GR facilitates the assessment of crop loss and activates 12 immediate reliefs, including a land revenue waiver, crop loan restructuring, a stay on farm loan recovery, an exemption from agri-pump electricity bills, a school exam fee waiver, relaxation of MNREGA work requirements, drinking water tankers, a ban on pump disconnections, and food grain and fodder security.
On September 22, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a Cabinet subcommittee headed by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule to oversee drought relief measures.
According to the GR, drought like conditions have prevailed in 265 talukas from June due to pro-longed dry spell. To combat the situation, Trigger 1 has been applied. It means, there was a continuous dry spell of at least 21 days. The first trigger is decided as per Drought Management Code 2016.
The GR instructs District Collectors to do panchnamas and document crop conditions with reports to be submitted to Agriculture Commissioner.
“Photographs showing the condition of crops in the surveyed area and GPS coordinates should be collected and a report on crop condition should be immediately submitted to the Government through the Commissioner, Agriculture,” the GR stated.
Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar reiterated that “government will not leave the drought-affected farmers in the lurch”.
“We have also given instructions to start water conservation works as well as planning for drinking water. The assistance regarding crop losses will be announced through a separate Government Resolution after completing the procedure,” Ms. Pawar said.
Farmers’ leader Ajit Navale has welcomed the move and said, “We hope the expected compensation is announced. However, CM has kept saying that they will provide relief under NDRF, but it is not enough. Farmers have incurred losses of two Kharif seasons, it is a huge toll on livelihood.”
In 2025, the several regions of Marathwada received heavy downpour causing crops loss and loss of topsoil, while this season with deficit in rainfall, farmers have huge losses.
Kisan Sabha, a farmers organisation demanded to expand the scope of loan waiver announced in June 2026.
Published – September 26, 2026 01:19 pm IST
