Mumbai, Sep 26: The Maharashtra government on Saturday declared drought conditions in 265 of the state’s 358 talukas following deficient monsoon rainfall during the 2026 Kharif season and announced a comprehensive relief package for affected farmers and rural households.

The state’s Relief and Rehabilitation Department issued the declaration through a Government Resolution (GR) after the implementation of Trigger-1 guidelines under the Drought Management Code, 2016, and based on a report submitted by the Commissioner of Agriculture.

District Collectors have been instructed to immediately initiate panchnama (field assessments) of crop loss across affected regions. The administration must collect geotagged photos with GPS coordinates of damaged farmlands and submit a comprehensive crop assessment report to the government through the Agriculture Commissioner.

To support farmers, agricultural labourers, and affected rural populations, the state government has extended a 12-point relief and concessions package for the designated 265 talukas. The government has announced a full waiver of land revenue for affected farmers, restructuring of existing agricultural loans, immediate stay on the recovery of all agriculture-related bank loans, exemption/concessions on current electricity bills for agricultural pumps above 7.5 HP capacity (up to 7.5 HP is already waived), waiver of examination fees for school and college students in the affected zones, relaxation of work norm criteria under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act to maximize employment generation, and deployment of water tankers wherever drinking water shortages occur.

Further, the government has issued strict orders preventing the disconnection of agricultural pump power supplies in declared scarcity-hit villages, implementation of targeted distribution systems to prevent food grain shortages for farmers and daily-wage agricultural workers, measures to ensure adequate supply and availability of fodder for cattle, immediate rollout of water conservation works in the affected belts and comprehensive planning for drinking and livestock water resources in accordance with government directives.

Out of the 358 talukas in Maharashtra, 265 (nearly 75 per cent) fall under Trigger-1 drought severity. In Konkan region, Ratnagiri (3 talukas ); Sindhudurg (8); Raigad (1 – Srivardhan); total 12, Nashik division; Nashik (10), Dhule (4), Jalgaon (15), Nandurbar (6), Ahilyanagar (14) total 49; Pune division, Pune (8), Solapur (11), Sangli (4), Satara (6), Kolhapur (6) total 35; Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (9), Jalna (8), Beed (11), Latur (10), Dharashiv (8), Nanded (14), Parbhani (9), Hingoli (5) total 74, Amravati division, Buldhana (13), Amravati (14), Akola (7), Washim (6), Yavatmal (16) total 56; and Nagpur division Wardha (7), Nagpur (14), Bhandara (3), Gondia (1), Chandrapur (12), Gadchiroli (2) total 39.

Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar and Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane confirmed the government’s move to declare drought in 265 talukas. Sunetra Pawar, who is currently visiting drought-hit villages in Nanded district, said the government is with farmers and they will not be left ft in the lurch.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who visited Marathwada, Vidarbha region and Solapur district two days ago, announced that funds won’t be an issue to tackle the present agrarian crisis.

Similarly, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who visited drought-affected villages in Vidarbha, said that farmers must not lose heart; the government will provide substantial financial assistance.

Mumbai, Sep 26: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ daughter Divija Fadnavis and his wife, Amruta Fadnavis, on Saturday participated in the Divyaj Foundation’s annual ‘Sea Shore Shine 2026’ beach clean-up drive at Juhu Beach, a day after Ganesh Visarjan.

Speaking to reporters, Divija Fadnavis said it was important for young people to participate in social initiatives such as beach clean-up drives as they help foster a sense of responsibility towards the nation.

“I think it’s very important for the youth and younger generation to be involved in social initiatives like beach clean-ups, because it gives us a sense of responsibility towards our nation and builds confidence in ourselves to ensure that we keep our beaches and our nation clean,” she said.

BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide also joined the clean-up drive at Juhu Beach to promote environmental awareness and cleanliness. The campaign was organised under the leadership of Divyaj Foundation founder Amruta Fadnavis.

Actor Ajay Devgn also participated in the initiative and said he wanted to support the campaign because of its creative approach.

“Because this is a creative initiative. I wanted to thank the whole team, so I want to be a part of it, and I am a part of it,” Devgn said.

Speaking to media, BJP MLA Ram Kadam said Amruta Fadnavis, through the Divyaj Foundation, had been working for the cleanliness of the beach for the past six years and personally participated in the clean-up efforts.

“Several NGOs and spiritual organisations are also associated with this initiative. This is a great work. The immersion has been completed, but we ourselves should keep our city clean,” Kadam said.

Ganesh Visarjan was observed on Friday, September 25, coinciding with Anant Chaturdashi. The occasion marks the conclusion of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, when devotees bid farewell to Lord Ganesha after bringing idols home or installing them in public pandals.

The immersion of idols, accompanied by devotional songs, prayers and offerings, marks the departure of the deity, with devotees seeking Lord Ganesha’s blessings before bidding him farewell until the following year.

Environmental concerns surrounding idol immersion have also highlighted the need for post-immersion clean-up drives. The use of non-biodegradable materials, paints and other substances in idols can affect water quality, aquatic ecosystems and marine life.

Such initiatives aim to remove waste from beaches and promote greater public awareness about keeping marine and river ecosystems clean.

Nanded, Sep 26: In a direct interaction with drought-affected farmers during an on-site visit in Sonkhed village from Nanded district, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President, Sunetra Pawar, on Saturday assured affected families that the state government is taking strict note of crop damage and will not leave anyone stranded.

Speaking to a gathering of local farmers while inspecting dry and damaged crops hit due to scanty rainfall, Dy CM Pawar highlighted that government officials are actively conducting ground inspections to assess the situation directly rather than relying solely on official data or statistics.

She told the farmers that on-ground surveys (Panchnamas) are ongoing to evaluate actual ground conditions and crop losses. Reports will be finalised quickly to expedite government relief.

Addressing concerns over agricultural credit, Dy CM Pawar confirmed that loan waiver processes are underway, with funds being processed directly through banking channels based on individual loan categories.

“Funds will be directly credited into farmers’ bank accounts based on the specific type/category of loan they hold,” she said.

“State intervention will extend beyond crop damage. Special focus is being given to livestock care—including fodder and water supply—as well as managing education-related difficulties faced by farmers’ children due to financial stress,” she assured.

Emphasising her connection to the region as a daughter of Marathwada, Dy CM Pawar stated that she deeply understands the agrarian plight and assured farmers that the administration is treating their hardship with utmost gravity.

“I am a daughter of Marathwada. I intimately understand the pain and hardship of our farming community,” she reassured the growers.

“We will not abandon a single farmer to uncertainty. Ensuring quality education for your children, securing fodder for livestock, and supporting family livelihoods remain top-tier priorities for this administration,” she said.

Local farmers also brought forward urgent demands regarding local water infrastructure, requesting that nearby lakes and water storage facilities be filled to tackle the severe drought. Pawar reassured the crowd that the government stands firmly with them and that comprehensive relief announcements will follow as soon as field reports are submitted.

She urged farmers not to worry, reassuring them that the government will not leave anyone in the lurch. Dy CM Pawar confirmed that following her firsthand inspection, comprehensive follow-ups will be initiated at the state Cabinet level to roll out necessary relief packages and structural measures. She added that district administrative officials will be instructed immediately to execute thorough situational audits and deliver swift executive action.

Reaffirming the state government’s commitment amid volatile rainfall patterns, severe crop yield declines, and compounding financial pressure, she assured rural communities that the administration stands firmly behind Maharashtra’s agrarian sector.

Meanwhile, former Union Agriculture Minister and NCP SP President, Sharad Pawar, will lead a march in Solapur district to draw the state government’s attention for declaring drought and providing immediate relief to the farmers hit due to the agrarian crisis.

Further, Aaditya Thackeray is on a tour of Dharashiv, Solapur, and Nanded today, where he will interact with drought-affected farmers.