Maharashtra Declares Drought in 265 Talukas, Announces 12-Point Relief Package

The Maharashtra government has announced drought in 265 out of the 358 talukas of Maharashtra due to insufficient monsoon rainfall in the year 2026 Kharif season. The GR (Government Resolution) has been made on the basis of Trigger-1 guidelines and a report of the Commissioner of Agriculture according to Drought Management Code, 2016.

The announcement includes almost 75% of Maharashtra’s talukas and includes various concessions for farmers, farm workers and rural households in the concerned area.

Crop-Loss Assessment Through Panchnamas

District Collectors have been asked to start the process of panchnamas i.e., field level assessment of crops.

It has been decided that geotagged photographs with GPS coordinates will be taken of the damaged agricultural land. Reports on the crop assessment have been required to be compiled and provided to the Agriculture Commissioner.

This is because, like the disaster-relief system in the existing regime in Maharashtra, the process of panchnamas is involved along with compiling at the district level and then obtaining the approval from the government and making an online application for relief.

Drought Relief Measures in Maharashtra – 12 Points

The package of relief measures for the drought-affected 265 talukas comprises the following,

1. Exemption of revenue of affected farmers.
2. Rescheduling of existing agricultural loans.
3. Immediate moratorium on recovery of agricultural loans from banks.
4. Relief/concessions in electricity charges for agricultural pumps above 7.5 HP; below 7.5 HP charges are already exempted under the existing exemption scheme.
5. Exemption of examination fees of school and college-going students in affected areas.
6. Arranging water tankers where shortage of drinking water occurs.
7. No disconnection of agricultural pump power in affected scarcity areas.
8. Arrangements for targeted distribution to avoid shortage of food grains.
9. Sufficient arrangements of fodder for cattle.
10. Immediate implementation of water conservation projects.
11. Sufficient planning of drinking water resources.
12. Sufficient planning of livestock water resources as per government guidelines.

Distributions of the Drought Stricken Talukas in Districts

A total of 265 drought affected talukas in Maharashtra state is distributed among the six divisions of Maharashtra.

Total Six divisions 265

Drought Management Code and Trigger-1

The notification has been issued under the provisions of Drought Management Code, 2016 under its Trigger-1 criteria.

The drought management system employs the rainfall, agriculture, vegetation, and water-based indicators in recognizing the drought scenario. The trigger criteria assist the administration in initiating the necessary assessment and relief measures.

In the state of Maharashtra, drought is separately identified as one of the notified natural disasters for which assistance may be given within the context of the relevant government framework.

Existing Relief Scheme on Crop Damage in Maharashtra

The state framework for relief assistance on the disaster covers various forms of crop damage. In the list of assistance rates given by the Relief and Rehabilitation Department, the relevant assistance rates are ₹8,500 per hectare for rainfed crops, ₹17,000 per hectare for irrigated and horticultural crops, and ₹22,500 per hectare for perennial crops.

The relief process follows the sequence of panchnama → government approval → online processing → VK number → e-KYC → DBT payment.