The prevailing situation in these sub-districts fulfils the Trigger-I (first alert) criteria under the Drought Management Code. As more than 34 of 36 districts reel under an acute water shortage due to deficient rainfall, the Maharashtra government on Saturday declared drought in 265 of the 358 sub-districts , or 74% of the sub-districts, across the state.
Importantly, the GR does not announce crop-loss compensation at this stage. It says that assistance to farmers for damage to kharif crops in the 265 drought-affected talukas will be announced through a separate government decision after completion of the prescribed procedure.
They include concessions in land revenue, restructuring of crop loans, deferment of recovery of agriculture-related loans, and concessions in current electricity bills for agricultural pumps. Farmers in these talukas will also be entitled to a waiver of examination fees for their school and college students, as well as relaxations in norms under NREGS works that provide rural employment. The state government has also assured that tankers will be deployed for drinking water, electricity to agricultural pumps will not be disconnected, food grains and fodder for livestock will be arranged, water will be provided for livestock, and more water conservation works will be undertaken. The opposition, however, raised questions over the implementation of the announcements. The farmers should immediately get the money in their hands.
The state government issued the much-awaited government resolution (GR) on Saturday, announcing a package of 12 measures and concessions for drought-affected farmers. The decision was taken based on the Agriculture Commissioner’s assessment of rainfall deficiency and other drought-related indicators up to September 24. As part of the announcement, the government has decided to extend a package of 12 measures and concessions to the drought-affected areas. The state government had announced a relief package of ₹ 31,000 crore after last year’s downpour, but the farmers have hardly got anything out of it.”
“The government order is based on the agriculture commissioner’s report dated September 24, 2026, and invokes the drought-assessment procedure prescribed under the state’s drought management framework,” the GR said. “Apart from the relief to farmers, the government should also announce relief to the urban parts of the state, as inflation is bound to increase and industrial areas are likely to face the impact of the drought,” said Shiv Sena-UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray . Farm activist and former MP Raju Shetti said, “The mere announcement is not sufficient.
