States » WestPosted at: Sep 19 2026 2:22PM


Maha: Pawar questions govt delay in declaring drought amid crop losses

Mumbai, Sep 19 (UNI) Stepping up pressure on the ruling coalition over the agrarian crisis, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Rohit Pawar on Saturday criticised the Maharashtra government for its failure to officially declare a drought despite widespread crop losses during the Kharif season.
Drawing a comparison with neighbouring Karnataka, Pawar questioned the delay in providing relief measures as farmers across Maharashtra face acute distress amid prolonged dry spells.
In a detailed post on social media, Pawar said Karnataka has declared drought in 101 talukas on August 28 and subsequently added 23 more talukas before sending a memorandum to the Centre seeking assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
"Neighboring Karnataka declared a drought in 101 talukas as early as August 28 and subsequently added 23 more talukas, dispatching a formal memorandum to the Centre for National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) assistance. If Karnataka can initiate prompt relief, why is Maharashtra dragging its feet and waiting for arbitrary timelines?" Pawar questioned in a detailed social media statement.
Pawar backed his claims with scientific data, the opposition legislator referred to satellite findings from the Central Space Applications Centre's VEDAS portal.
Pawar claimed that several parameters for declaring drought has already been met. He said 203 talukas are already facing rainfall deficits, while hundreds have experienced dry spells lasting three to four weeks.
Pawar also criticised the state government's reliance on an October 5 deadline for assessment, describing it as a “baseless administrative excuse” and alleging that procedural delays are intentional and deliberate.
“If the government's calculation is to stall decisions in anticipation of post-monsoon showers so that financial disbursements can be avoided, it is a cruel joke on the farming community. The crisis-hit peasantry will never forgive this apathy,” he said.
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