The Maharashtra Cabinet has approved adding 40 more talukas to the drought-hit list, taking their number to 305, and ₹ 5,000 advance to each farmer before Diwali as a relief measure, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday. The state has 358 talukas.
But there were demands from various areas to include their talukas on the drought-hit list. “Drought was announced in 265 talukas. So the state Cabinet, after reviewing reports, decided to add 40 more talukas to the list,” Fadnavis said after the Cabinet meeting.
HT reported the team assured Maharashtra of maximum possible financial assistance from the central government. The government is implementing a farm loan waiver scheme. It has directed banks and credit societies against initiating recovery from farmers. The water crisis has been worsening, particularly in Marathwada. The state government was expected to submit a fresh proposal seeking drought relief at rates higher than existing norms under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
Fadnavis cited the drought situation and said each farmer will get an advance of ₹ 5,000 into their bank accounts before Diwali. An 11-member central inter-ministerial team toured drought-affected areas in Maharashtra last week to assess the severity of the situation and the plight of farmers. On October 7, Fadnavis met Union home minister Amit Shah and submitted an interim proposal seeking a ₹ 17,500-crore relief package. The proposal covered ₹ 13,000 crore for crop losses and ₹ 4,500 crore for fodder management. Crop loss assessments have been completed in 75% of the 32,927 villages identified as drought-affected. Water has been reserved for drinking purposes until August 2027, with separate provisions for people and livestock.
Crops over 14.93 million hectares have been damaged due to water stress, affecting 14.1 million farmers, according to state government figures.
Fadnavis said the number of tankers was increasing and that water levels in Marathwada had dropped by three metres. The state government said it has prioritised drinking water supply, particularly in villages where water sources have dried up.
