States » WestPosted at: Sep 19 2026 2:29PM


Maha: Pawar questions delay in drought declaration, demands immediate relief for farmers

Mumbai, Sep 19 (UNI) NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Rohit Pawar on Saturday questioned the Maharashtra government's delay in declaring drought in several parts of the state, alleging that farmers facing crop losses are being made to wait for relief.
Pawar warned Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis against delaying a drought declaration in the hope of rainfall during the retreating monsoon, saying such a move would amount to making a "mockery" of distressed farmers.
"If this is the calculation of the CM and his 'Mitra' team, then it will clearly mean that farmers are being ridiculed. The distressed farming community will not forgive the government for this," Pawar said in a post on social media.
He slammed the government for imposing conditions instead of providing immediate relief to distressed farmers.
He also questioned why Maharashtra cannot follow the example of neighbouring Karnataka, which, he said, has declared drought in several talukas and sought assistance from the Centre.
According to Pawar, the Karnataka government declared drought in 101 talukas on August 28 and subsequently declared another 23 talukas drought-affected. It has also sent a proposal to the Centre seeking assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), he added.
Pawar maintained that the ground situation in Maharashtra is not significantly different from that in Karnataka. The kharif season has suffered extensive damage due to inadequate rainfall and prolonged dry spells, leaving farmers in distress, he said.
Referring to data from the union government's VEDAS satellite system, Pawar claimed that rainfall deviation is currently being recorded in 203 talukas of Maharashtra. He said 140 talukas has both rainfall deviation and a four-week dry spell, while 280 talukas has rainfall deviation accompanied by a three-week break in rainfall.
According to Pawar, these conditions trigger the drought assessment mechanism and warrant immediate action by the state government.
He further questioned the government's position that conducting crop damage assessments, or panchnamas, before October 5 will affect the state's eligibility for NDRF assistance.
"There is no connection whatsoever between declaring drought and October 5," Pawar said, questioning why Maharashtra is waiting until October 5 when Karnataka has already declared drought and submitted its proposal to the Centre.
Moreover, Pawar urged the state government to take an immediate decision on drought declaration and provide relief to farmers without waiting for further rainfall.
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