Unified efforts to overcome drought – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's determination

Farmers, Farm Labourers, and Workers at the Center of Assistance in Drought Conditions

Mumbai, 26: - In drought conditions, farmers, farm labourers, and workers in the state are at the center of our assistance. Efforts will be made to provide relief. We stand firmly behind the farmers. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed determination that we should all work together to overcome this challenge. Drought has been declared in 265 talukas of the state. The government has decided to implement twelve measures and concessions to relieve farmers, students, farm labourers, citizens, and livestock in these talukas.

After the government decision was announced, Chief Minister Fadnavis instructed the respective district collectors to immediately start panchnamas in these talukas.

'Due to lack of rain, farmers are facing difficulties. In talukas where drought has been declared, an immediate survey will be conducted. The revenue department, agriculture, and all related agencies must work sensitively and in coordination. Regional-level coordination and communication must be maintained. The work should be prioritized to relieve farmers,' Chief Minister Fadnavis also instructed. During the survey, photographs showing crop status and reports on crop condition via GPS coordinates will be submitted.

Chief Minister Fadnavis recently toured the state to assess the drought situation. He visited the farmers' camps and conducted inspections. He had a heartfelt conversation with the farmers. He understood their difficulties. He assured that urgent decisions would be taken regarding the drought situation. Accordingly, today the government announced a decision to assess the drought situation in the state under the Drought Management Code 2016.

The state's Agricultural Commissioner reviewed the Kharif 2026 season and presented a report that drought conditions exist in 265 talukas of the state. Therefore, from June to today, the rainfall deficit and other factors affecting 265 talukas will be assessed under Trigger-1 (first trigger) and panchnamas will be conducted. A report on crop condition will be prepared by collecting photographs and GPS coordinates of the surveyed area.

In drought-affected areas, special measures and concessions will be applied. These include exemption from land revenue, restructuring of crop loans, suspension of collection of agricultural loans, waiver of electricity bills for agricultural pumps (electricity bill for electric pumps up to 7.5 horsepower capacity has already been waived; the same concession will apply to those pumps), waiver of exam fees for school and college students, relaxation of work criteria under Rohosyo to start more work, use of tankers to supply drinking water where needed, electricity to farmers' irrigation pumps will not be cut in villages declared in shortage, sufficient supply of food grains for farmers and farm labourers, arrangements to prevent water shortage, ensuring animals receive necessary fodder, starting water conservation works, and planning drinking water and animal water as per the previously issued government decision.

Inclusion of 265 talukas across six revenue divisions

The 265 talukas where Trigger-1 has been applied include talukas from various revenue divisions of the state. The talukas in Thane revenue division (12), Nasik division (49), Pune division (35), Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division (74), Amravati division (56), and Nagpur division (39) are included.

In Thane revenue division, the talukas of Raigad district's Shrivardhan, Ratnagiri district's Ratnagiri, Sangamner and Rajapur, and Sindhudurg district's Savantwadi, Dodamarg, Kankavali, Kudale, Vaibhavwadi, Malvan, Devgad, and Venugurla have first trigger applied. No taluka in Thane and Palghar districts is included.

A total of 49 talukas in Nasik, Dhule, Jalgaon, Nandurbar, and Ahilyanagar districts, and 35 talukas in Pune, Solapur, Sangli, Satara, and Kolhapur districts are included.

74 talukas in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jalna, Bid, Latur, Dhara Shiv, Nanded, Parbhani, and Hingoli districts have first trigger applied. 56 talukas in Amravati division's Buldhana, Amravati, Akola, Washim, and Yavatmal districts, and 39 talukas in Nagpur division's Wardha, Nagpur, Bhindara, Gondia, Chandrapur, and Gadchiroli districts are included.

Independent Decision for Crop Loss Assistance

After the prescribed procedure for the crop losses of drought‑affected farmers has been completed, assistance will be announced through an independent government decision. Consequently, the government has given special importance to the process of conducting accurate surveys of the panchnam and crop conditions.

Against the backdrop of drought, the government has initiated measures at various levels to reduce the impact of the drought situation by providing necessary concessions and facilities to farmers, students, laborers, and the general public in a timely manner.