Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured farmers that the state government will step in with financial assistance as several parts of the state face a serious rainfall shortage and drought-like conditions.
Fadnavis said the government is preparing to assess crop losses from October 5 under the rules required for assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). However, he made it clear that farmers will not have to wait for the central relief process to begin.
The state government will provide financial assistance from its own funds first and seek NDRF support later, he said.
The announcement came during Fadnavis’ visit to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Thursday for the Hyderabad Muktisangram Din programme. The issue of rainfall shortage and the impact on farmers has gained urgency after several districts experienced prolonged dry spells. A recent state review found that 20 of Maharashtra’s 36 districts had recorded rainfall deficits of at least 20%.
Government Preparing Crop Loss Assessment
Fadnavis said preparations for the crop-loss assessment have already started even though the formal panchnama process will begin after October 5.
He said the government would closely monitor the situation and take steps to support farmers affected by crop damage.
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule had earlier pointed to drought-like conditions in 18 districts, with a significant portion of Maharashtra’s farming community facing the impact of inadequate rainfall.
The situation is particularly concerning in Marathwada, where farmers have been dealing with long dry spells during important stages of crop growth.
Dharashiv Faces Severe Rainfall Shortage
Dharashiv, formerly known as Osmanabad, is among the worst-affected areas.
According to a government report, the district went without rainfall for around 80 days. Officials warned that crop losses could reach 80% to 85% in severely affected areas. The prolonged dry spell has caused moisture stress during flowering and pod formation, damaging grain development.
The situation has also created problems for cattle owners, with farmers reportedly using dried plants from their fields as fodder.
Fadnavis said the administration was preparing for possible shortages of both fodder and drinking water and would take steps to ensure supplies in affected areas.
Rs 48,000 Crore Farm Power Bill Waiver Announced
During his address, Fadnavis also spoke about the government’s decision to waive pending agricultural electricity bills amounting to Rs 48,000 crore.
He said farmers were already receiving free electricity under the state’s existing measures and that the government was taking steps to reduce the financial burden on the farming community.
The chief minister also highlighted the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar loan waiver scheme, saying Marathwada has a large number of beneficiaries under the programme.
30 TMC More Water Planned for Marathwada
Fadnavis said the state government was working on long-term water projects to reduce Marathwada’s dependence on uncertain rainfall.
He said the first phase of a project aimed at bringing additional water to the region has been completed. A flood mitigation project has also received World Bank approval, with the tendering process underway.
According to Fadnavis, the project is expected to make around 30 TMC of additional water available for areas including Beed, Latur and Dharashiv.
He also said work on a river-linking project aimed at transferring water from the Konkan region towards the Godavari Valley was progressing.
The detailed project report is in its final stage, and the proposed project could bring nearly 70 TMC of water to the water-deficit Godavari Valley. Fadnavis said the project could take about seven years to complete, although efforts would be made to bring water earlier.
Daily Water Supply Plan for Sambhajinagar
The chief minister also said the water pipeline project for Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar had reached its final stages.
The government, he said, was working towards providing the city with a daily water supply.
The water issue has remained a major concern in the city, with the implementation of the large water-supply project facing delays in recent years.
8,000 Acres to Be Added for Industrial Expansion
Fadnavis also announced plans to acquire another 8,000 acres of land in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for industrial development.
The region is emerging as an important manufacturing centre, with industrial zones and the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor cluster attracting new investments.
Fadnavis said companies including JSW, Toyota and Ather are expected to contribute to the development of the region’s electric vehicle manufacturing ecosystem.
The government plans to expand industrial zones to accommodate further investment and create employment opportunities.
Rs 3,500 Crore Road Push
The state government is also planning major road infrastructure improvements around the industrial belt.
Fadnavis said Rs 3,500 crore has been provided for roads connecting industrial areas such as Shendra, Bidkin and Dhoregaon.
He also announced plans for what he described as Maharashtra’s largest elevated road in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to help address traffic congestion in the city.
The proposed dry port at Jalna is expected to support the movement of industrial components and vehicles, strengthening the region’s logistics network.
Focus on Marathwada’s Long-Term Development
Speaking on Marathwada’s history, Fadnavis said the region had faced development challenges for decades and that the government was working on projects aimed at improving water availability, agriculture, industry and connectivity.
His announcements came as Maharashtra continues to deal with uneven rainfall across several districts. The state government has said it is preparing relief measures rather than waiting for the formal crop-loss assessment process to begin in October.
