Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced an advance drought relief payment of ₹5,000 per eligible farmer, with around 15 million farmers expected to benefit. The state government has allocated ₹7,500 crore for the assistance amid drought-like conditions affecting several parts of Maharashtra.
The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting. Fadnavis has instructed officials to ensure that banks do not deduct any amount from the relief payments, so beneficiaries receive the full assistance. He also directed the authorities to issue clear instructions to banks regarding the disbursement process.
Farmers to Receive at Least ₹5,000 as Advance Relief
According to Fadnavis, farmers with smaller landholdings previously received around ₹1,000 in assistance, while the revised arrangement provides a minimum advance payment of ₹5,000 to eligible farmers. Additional compensation will be determined later, after crop losses have been assessed.
Responding to criticism of the relief measures, the Chief Minister referred to the state’s ‘Ladki Behen’ initiative, under which women receive ₹1,500. He said the importance of such financial assistance should be understood from the perspective of the people receiving it, including farmers who depend on support during difficult agricultural conditions.
Fadnavis also compared the assistance with Karnataka’s reported drought relief distribution of ₹2,500, arguing that Maharashtra had taken steps to provide greater immediate support to affected farmers.
Earlier, the Chief Minister said the government had expanded its drought assessment and relief efforts this year to address crop damage and the financial difficulties faced by farming households.
Drought-Affected Areas Expand to 305 Talukas
The Maharashtra government initially identified 265 talukas as drought-affected in September 2026. In October, another 40 talukas were added, bringing the total to 305 out of the state’s 358 talukas. This represents approximately 85% of the state’s talukas.
The affected areas include parts of Marathwada, Vidarbha and Nashik, as well as districts such as Solapur, Latur, Beed, Buldhana, Amravati, Yavatmal, Nagpur and Chandrapur. The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division has been identified as the worst-affected region.
To provide immediate financial support, the government announced that farmers in drought-affected areas would receive the ₹5,000 advance payment in their bank accounts before Diwali.
Government Announces 12 Relief Measures
Alongside the advance payment, the state government has introduced 12 relief measures to reduce the financial burden on farmers and affected families.
These measures include waivers of land revenue, restructuring of crop loans, a moratorium on the recovery of agricultural loans and concessions on electricity bills for agricultural pumps. The relief package also includes waivers of student examination fees, along with arrangements for water tankers and fodder in areas facing shortages.
The advance assistance is intended to provide immediate financial support while the assessment of agricultural losses continues. The final compensation payable to farmers will be determined after the extent of crop damage has been evaluated.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or agricultural advice. Relief amounts, eligibility criteria, payment schedules and other measures are subject to official government orders and applicable conditions. Farmers should contact the relevant Maharashtra government department or local authorities to confirm their eligibility and obtain the latest information about relief payments.