Maharashtra declares 40 more talukas drought-hit, Rs 5,000 advance for farmers before Diwali

The state Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, met at the Sahyadri guest house on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, and took several important decisions.

Fadnavis said 40 more talukas are being declared drought-hit. In the present situation, it has also been decided to deposit an advance of Rs 5,000 in farmers' accounts before the coming Diwali to give them relief.

Drought had already been declared in 265 talukas in the state. With 40 more added, the number of drought-hit talukas has risen to 305. Drought relief measures will be given priority in these talukas. Drought Trigger 1 had been applied in the talukas included earlier. Action to apply the trigger in all of them, including the newly added talukas, is being speeded up.

According to the Chief Minister, the societies, district banks, nationalised banks and microfinance companies concerned have been given strict instructions not to hound farmers for loan recovery. He said microfinance companies are being watched and have been clearly told not to resort to excesses. Fadnavis also said that power supply of up to 7.5 horsepower for farming is free in the state, and anyone who still presses for electricity bills will be strictly told not to do so.

To ensure drinking water remains available, directions have been issued for stern action against illegal withdrawal of water. Fadnavis said 16,000 power connections have been cut for this. In reply to a question, he also said that instructions have been given to waive examination fees of students in drought-hit talukas in full, without any conditions.

The meeting also discussed measures for fodder availability for animals and reviewed the fodder situation in detail. It was suggested that fodder crops be planted where water is available, and that fodder-yielding crops such as jowar be taken in the rabi season too. Fadnavis said the government will buy the fodder grown by farmers at a guaranteed price.

The meeting approved permanent construction for pilgrimage site development on 3 hectares 81 R of the 19 hectares 6 R of government land given to Shri Sant Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan, Shegaon, for tree plantation at Girda village (taluka and district Buldhana). The Sansthan had proposed this. The construction includes a memorial centre, eco-tourism centre, meditation huts, residential complex, auditorium, exhibition centre, open stage, naturopathy centre, Ayurvedic research centre, hospital and rural cottage industries for the convenience of devotees. The approval is under Section 40 of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966, with conditions. The main condition is that, apart from the land needed for construction, the remaining 15 hectares 25 R must be used only for tree plantation.

The Cabinet also approved a change to the policy on distributing small, narrow, unusable and access-less plots owned by the government. Provisions of Rules 37 and 37A of the Maharashtra Land Revenue (Disposal of Government Land) Rules, 1971 will be amended. The policy for such plots was decided at the meeting of August 5, 2025, with a condition that the area of the allotted plot should not exceed 10 per cent of the total area held by the neighbouring holder. Public representatives had demanded that this ratio be raised, and the limit will now be 25 per cent. For a plot on which construction is not possible, the condition can be relaxed with government approval. A plot on which construction is not permitted must be kept as permanent open space. If development rules change in future and construction takes place there, the government will have the right to recover the difference at the prevailing rate, including premium.

The meeting also passed a resolution congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to the resolution, Modi has served the public continuously for 25 years as head of government, as Chief Minister and Prime Minister, from October 7, 2001 to October 7, 2026. The resolution praises the changes in good governance, inclusive development, expansion of basic infrastructure, social empowerment and national security. The Cabinet also expressed gratitude for the Centre's support for Maharashtra's all-round development.

The resolution says Prime Minister Modi considers himself the "pradhan sevak" and has proved through his work that power is a means of service. The Cabinet lauded his leadership. It also noted that Modi has resolved to take the Indian economy to $5 trillion by 2029, and that along the same lines Maharashtra has set a target of a $1 trillion economy, with the Centre's support strengthening these efforts.