Maharashtra govt announces drought relief package, Rs 5,000 advance aid for farmers before Diwali

The Maharashtra government on Wednesday announced a drought relief package including an advance payment of Rs 5000 to each affected farmer before Diwali as several regions of the state face severe agricultural distress 1155am 14102026Mumbai LIVE Media Interaction Maharashtra Mumbai httpstcoDefG42hrnmmdash Devendra Fadnavis Dev_Fadnavis October 14 2026Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the measures after chairing a Cabinet meeting attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Sunetra Pawar and Eknath Shinde along with other ministers The government added 40 more talukas to the droughthit list taking the total to 305 across MaharashtraFadnavis said the advance assistance would be transferred directly to farmersrsquo bank accounts to provide immediate financial support ahead of the festival The state will use its own resources to provide the aid rather than wait for the completion of procedures linked to central assistanceRs 5000 advance aid before DiwaliFadnavis said the government had decided to expedite relief measures in view of the severity of the drought and the financial difficulties faced by farmersWe are well aware that this Diwali brings severe hardship for our farmers Central government relief protocols involve procedures and timelines that cannot be finalised before Diwali Understanding this urgency the state cabinet decided to step in immediately and will be using state resources The Rs 5000 advance transfer will ensure our farmers have immediate liquidity in hand during the festive season stated CM FadnavisThe chief minister said drought declarations and relief measures had historically been announced in November and December This year the administration accelerated the process to issue notifications in OctoberThe government has also finalised a list of 35 lakh farmers for the loan waiver scheme with the processing of cases underway Fadnavis said 5000 Dev_Fadnavis Maharashtra DevendraFadnavis DroughtRelief httpstcovvjzwU66YJmdash CMO Maharashtra CMOMaharashtra October 14 2026Water supply measures stepped upThe government said it would strengthen drinking water arrangements in droughtaffected areas with water conservation and access to drinking water remaining prioritiesFadnavis said groundwater levels in the Marathwada region had fallen by more than three metres Additional water tankers would be deployed where required with GPS tracking systems intended to monitor their movement and prevent mismanagementThe chief minister also said more than 16000 illegal water connections had been disconnected as part of efforts to manage available water resourcesThe administration has reiterated that drinking water requirements will receive priority as the state deals with shortages across the droughthit regionsEducation fee relief and action on loan recoveryThe Cabinet also announced unconditional relief from educational fees for eligible students affected by the drought Fadnavis said banks and microfinance institutions had been instructed not to forcibly recover loan repayments or electricity bills from affected peopleThe measures are intended to ease the financial burden on farming households as they deal with crop losses water shortages and other effects of inadequate rainfallThe government said farmers in the 305 droughtdeclared talukas would continue to receive benefits under 12 existing relief schemesFodder support planned for livestockTo address the impact of drought on livestock the government will directly purchase fodder and encourage farmers to cultivate fodder crops Fadnavis saidThe measures are aimed at ensuring adequate feed for cattle and other livestock as water and agricultural resources come under pressureThe state government said the relief package was designed to provide immediate assistance while longer administrative procedures continue