Maharashtra drought: Sharad Pawar seeks aid for farmers as minister backs declaration

Pawar said the state should declare drought without waiting for the formal criteria to be met, and identify the affected talukas immediately and provide relief measures. He also sought Rs 25,000 in special assistance for each family of farm labourers.

Pawar also sought the implementation of a loan waiver scheme and the release of fresh crop loans to farmers. He demanded an increase in the incentive — from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh — given to farmers who regularly repay their loans,

“Furthermore, farmers who took crop loans in 2025–26 and defaulted this year should also be included in the loan waiver scheme,” he wrote.

Other measures sought

On crop insurance, Pawar demanded that the Re-1 crop insurance scheme be implemented retrospectively and that all previously excluded insurance triggers be applied retrospectively to provide coverage to farmers. He also sought distribution of crop insurance assistance of Rs 17,000 per hectare announced for losses caused by unseasonal rains last year.

Pawar further urged the government to take up employment guarantee scheme works on a priority basis in talukas facing drought-like conditions, including agriculture and water conservation-related works. He sought tanker arrangements to protect fruit orchards from water shortages.

The NCP(SP) chief sought the opening of fodder camps in affected areas, along with arrangements for drinking water for people, livestock and veterinary services. He also sought a special drive by the administration to ensure that repairs to faulty electricity transformers are completed promptly, citing the possibility of increased load-shedding in drought-hit areas.

As part of drought relief, Pawar further demanded a complete waiver of educational fees, not merely examination fees, for students in schools, colleges, and other educational institutions in talukas declared drought-affected.

‘Fadnavis will tour affected districts’

Minister Bharne, while responding to Pawar’s appeal, said, ”Declaring a drought is indeed the need of the hour and that it will naturally happen without needing to be explicitly stated”.

The minister said CM Fadnavis has already reviewed the situation and that he will personally embark on a tour across five to six districts to collect complete ground-level details.

Regarding fodder camps, the minister said the issue is under consideration and that decisions concerning livestock and the dairy sector will be finalized around Diwali.