States » WestPosted at: Sep 24 2026 10:48PM


Fadnavis promises drought-affected farmers direct financial assistance

Mumbai, Sep 24 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on Thursday that drought-affected farmers will be provided financial assistance through direct benefit transfer (DBT) soon, and a Government Resolution (GR) to this effect will be issued in the next two days.
Speaking to newsmen at Latur airport on the second day of his tour of rural interior Maharashtra, he clarified that while assisting drought-affected farmers, not only Kharif crop losses but also crop losses during the Rabi season will be taken into account.
The Chief Minister said that rivers, drains and wells have dried up, due to which the soybean crop has been destroyed on a large scale and there are not even seeds in the green pods.
The farmers’ loan waiver scheme will continue till all farmers benefit, and necessary funds will be made available for it, he said, adding that meticulous planning has been made for the supply of drinking water, animal fodder and food grains to drought-affected farmers. Water conservation works will be undertaken on a large scale and made to arrange employment, he said.
The Chief Minister explained that the drought crisis this year is far worse than the drought which had hit Maharashtra back in 1972.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), 31 districts out of 36 districts in Maharashtra are rain-deficient, with 20 of these districts facing a deficit of 25 to 58 per cent. Beyond the deficit, shifting rain patterns have added to the damage: in more than 100 of the state’s 355 drought-hit talukas, gaps between rain spells have stretched to between 40 days and 60 days. As a result, the main kharif crop, sown across 147 lakh hectares, has been destroyed.
Earlier, assuring a group of drought-affected farmers, he said, “Don't worry, the government is with you. We will help you all. We will solve your problems,” adding that a solution will be found to the issues of crop insurance.
The Chief Minister announced a loan waiver for all farmers who did not get the benefit during the loan waiver of 2016-17.
Fadnavis said that the process of loan waiver under the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karzmukti Yojana is underway and Rs 5,086 crore has been deposited in the accounts of 6.36 lakh farmers in the second installment in August.
As the convoy of Chief Minister Fadnavis passed through Masal village, farmers raised their hands to draw his attention, after which Fadnavis stopped his convoy and interacted with them.
Farmers in Jawu village in Nilanga taluka and Kharosa village in Ausa taluka handed over bundles of dried-up soybean crops to the Chief Minister, with tears in their eyes.
The Chief Minister got emotional after listening to the farmers’ plight. He consoled the farmers saying, “Don't panic, the government is with you,” and proceeded to inspect farms in the area.
The women also got emotional and told the Chief Minister, “Last year, our crops were hit by heavy rains, but this year, the drought hit our crops”.
The Chief Minister promised that action will soon be initiated against banks forcing farmers to repay crop loans during a drought.
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