Maharashtra Expands Drought Relief to 305 Talukas, Announces ₹5,000 Farmer Aid

The Maharashtra government is to deposit ₹5,000 into the bank accounts of farmers in drought-affected talukas before Diwali, as per news reports.  

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the assistance after a state cabinet meeting in Mumbai on Wednesday (October 14, 2026). The number of drought-hit talukas in the state has increased to 305 out of 358, following the addition of 40 more talukas.  

The government had initially declared 265 talukas drought-affected after a rainfall deficit. 

Twelve Relief Concessions 

All 305 talukas will be covered under the state's 12 standard drought relief measures. These include crop loan restructuring, land revenue concessions, electricity bill subsidies, and examination fee exemptions for farmers' children. 

Fadnavis said the ₹5,000 payment would provide immediate assistance before Diwali, as administrative assessments and the Central government's assessment process would take longer.  

He added that the state had processed an authenticated list of another 3.5 lakh farmers for scheduled debt relief payments. 

Restrictions on Loan Recovery 

District Central Cooperative banks and credit societies have been warned against coercive loan recovery and harassment of farmers. The government is also working to extend similar instructions to private banks and financial institutions. 

The Chief Minister said coercive recovery of pending electricity bills would not be allowed. Agricultural pumps with a capacity of up to 7.5 horsepower are eligible for free electricity under the state policy. 

Water Supply and Fodder Stocks 

Groundwater levels in observation wells across Marathwada have fallen below three metres. The government plans to deploy water tankers during October and November, with GPS tracking to monitor their movement.  

Nearly 16,000 illegal water connections have been disconnected to protect drinking water supplies. Fodder availability ranges from 90 days to seven months, depending on the region.  

Farmers with access to irrigation or dam water have been advised to grow rabi jowar and fodder crops. The government has said it will purchase harvested fodder at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). 

Examination Fee Waiver 

Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Patil has directed colleges to waive examination fees for students from drought-affected talukas. Fees already collected must be refunded, with strict action against institutions that fail to comply. 

Read More: Delhi Government Introduces Mandatory Aadhaar Identification for Electricity Subsidy Claims! 

Conclusion 

The relief measures cover direct financial assistance, agricultural concessions, water supply, and education costs. The ₹5,000 payment is scheduled to reach farmers before Diwali, while other drought relief measures will apply across all 305 affected talukas. 

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