The Maharashtra government on Wednesday announced a drought relief package, including an advance payment of Rs 5,000 to each affected farmer before Diwali, as several regions of the state face severe agricultural distress.
🕛 11.55am | 14-10-2026📍Mumbai. LIVE | Media Interaction #Maharashtra #Mumbai https://t.co/DefG42hrnm
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) October 14, 2026
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the measures after chairing a Cabinet meeting attended by Deputy Chief Ministers Sunetra Pawar and Eknath Shinde, along with other ministers. The government added 40 more talukas to the drought-hit list, taking the total to 305 across Maharashtra.
Fadnavis said the advance assistance would be transferred directly to farmers’ bank accounts to provide immediate financial support ahead of the festival. The state will use its own resources to provide the aid rather than wait for the completion of procedures linked to central assistance.
Rs 5,000 advance aid before Diwali
Fadnavis said the government had decided to expedite relief measures in view of the severity of the drought and the financial difficulties faced by farmers.
“We are well aware that this Diwali brings severe hardship for our farmers. Central government relief protocols involve procedures and timelines that cannot be finalised before Diwali. Understanding this urgency, the state cabinet decided to step in immediately and will be using state resources. The Rs 5,000 advance transfer will ensure our farmers have immediate liquidity in hand during the festive season,” stated CM Fadnavis.
The chief minister said drought declarations and relief measures had historically been announced in November and December. This year, the administration accelerated the process to issue notifications in October.
The government has also finalised a list of 3.5 lakh farmers for the loan waiver scheme, with the processing of cases underway, Fadnavis said.
राज्यातील दुष्काळग्रस्त शेतकऱ्यांना दिवाळीपूर्वी ₹5000 अग्रीम मदत देण्यात येणार – मुख्यमंत्री देवेंद्र फडणवीस @Dev_Fadnavis #Maharashtra #DevendraFadnavis #DroughtRelief https://t.co/vvjzwU66YJ
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) October 14, 2026
Water supply measures stepped up
The government said it would strengthen drinking water arrangements in drought-affected areas, with water conservation and access to drinking water remaining priorities.
Fadnavis said groundwater levels in the Marathwada region had fallen by more than three metres. Additional water tankers would be deployed where required, with GPS tracking systems intended to monitor their movement and prevent mismanagement.
The chief minister also said more than 16,000 illegal water connections had been disconnected as part of efforts to manage available water resources.
The administration has reiterated that drinking water requirements will receive priority as the state deals with shortages across the drought-hit regions.
Education fee relief and action on loan recovery
The Cabinet also announced unconditional relief from educational fees for eligible students affected by the drought. Fadnavis said banks and microfinance institutions had been instructed not to forcibly recover loan repayments or electricity bills from affected people.
The measures are intended to ease the financial burden on farming households as they deal with crop losses, water shortages and other effects of inadequate rainfall.
The government said farmers in the 305 drought-declared talukas would continue to receive benefits under 12 existing relief schemes.
Fodder support planned for livestock
To address the impact of drought on livestock, the government will directly purchase fodder and encourage farmers to cultivate fodder crops, Fadnavis said.
The measures are aimed at ensuring adequate feed for cattle and other livestock as water and agricultural resources come under pressure.
The state government said the relief package was designed to provide immediate assistance while longer administrative procedures continue.
