The Maharashtra government on Saturday declared drought in 265 taluks of the state after a comprehensive review of water scarcity and crop situation. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the administration will stand firmly with the farmers and ensure their happy festive season despite environmental difficulties.
Following ground level inspection in the affected districts by State Ministers and review with the Agriculture and Revenue Departments, an official Government Resolution (GR) declaring drought under the Trigger-1 framework was issued.
Deputy Chief Minister Shinde stressed that this announcement is not a mere cosmetic measure, but is based on a concrete implementation plan.
To reduce the financial crisis of rural families, the state government has started immediate relief mechanisms. Shinde said the state has waived land revenue taxes, put an immediate halt to loan recovery processes, and issued restructuring orders for existing crop loans.
Orders have been issued to stop disconnection of agricultural power pumps due to non-payment of electricity bills in drought-affected areas, along with concessions in energy rates. To ensure that the educational activities of students from affected farmer families are not disrupted, school and college examination fees have been waived.
According to Shinde, the rules have been relaxed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGA) to increase local employment opportunities. Deploying drinking water tankers, supply of fodder to animals, food security measures and water conservation projects are being speeded up.
District collectors have been directed to conduct immediate and transparent assessment (panchnama) of crop damage using GPS coordinates and high-resolution geotagged photography. Once these field assessments are finalized, financial compensation related to direct crop damage will be distributed under a separate government order.
Highlighting the ongoing assistance, Shinde said that Rs 10,115 crore has been distributed to more than 12.58 lakh verified farmers under the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Kisan Loan Waiver Scheme.
Urging farmers not to lose hope and take drastic measures, he reiterated that the Mahayuti government is committed to support the agriculture sector at every stage of the crisis.