Maharashtra designates 265 talukas as drought-affected, unveils relief package

The Maharashtra government on Saturday formally designated 265 of the state's 358 talukas as drought-affected, covering approximately 74 per cent of the state's geographical area. The declaration, issued through a government resolution on Friday, activates relief mechanisms including restructuring of crop loans, concessions in land revenue collection, and deferral of recovery proceedings on agriculture-related borrowings.

The decision follows Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's recent visits to drought-stricken regions across the state. The government has invoked 'Trigger-1' under its Drought Management Manual 2016 (updated in 2020) and the state's Drought Management Code, marking the first stage in the state's established drought response framework.

Trigger-1 is activated when rainfall deficit exceeds 25 per cent in combination with a prolonged dry spell lasting at least 21 days. An assessment by the state's Agriculture Commissioner identified drought-like conditions across the 265 affected talukas spanning 32 districts, attributed to significant rainfall deficiency and other contributing factors.

The relief package aims to provide financial assistance to farmers facing severe distress due to inadequate precipitation and extended dry conditions. The government's multi-pronged approach seeks to ease the financial burden on agricultural households through loan restructuring and deferred recovery of existing debt obligations.