Maharashtra adds 40 talukas to drought list, announces Rs 5,000 bonus for farmers before Diwali

Mumbai: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday announced relief for farmers ahead of Diwali. He said the state government has raised the number of drought-affected talukas from 265 to 305. The government has also decided to give farmers a special bonus of Rs 5,000, and Fadnavis assured that the amount would be credited directly to beneficiaries' bank accounts before the festival.

Fadnavis acknowledged that crop losses and water shortage were worsening the economic condition of farmers. He said the government had stepped up drought-response measures so that help reaches farmers earlier than usual. According to him, relief is normally given in December, but this year the government decided to act sooner.

The Chief Minister said, "This year's Diwali is going to be difficult for farmers." He said the bonus is meant to help farming families meet expenses during the festival days. He added that money is also being credited to farmers' accounts under the loan waiver scheme.

According to figures given by the government, 305 of Maharashtra's 358 talukas have now been declared drought-affected. These talukas are spread across 32 districts of the state.

Drinking water crisis deepens, tankers to be tracked by GPS

Along with drought relief, the government is stepping up measures to tackle the growing drinking water crisis. Fadnavis said groundwater levels are falling continuously and have dropped below three metres in the affected areas, so the number of tankers is rising.

To improve monitoring and prevent irregularities, the government has decided to track tankers by GPS. The Chief Minister also said 16,000 illegal tap connections have been cut. He assured that the administration would give priority to supplying safe drinking water.

Cabinet passes resolution on Modi's 25 years

At the press conference, Fadnavis also said the Maharashtra Cabinet has passed a resolution congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 25 years as head of government. Modi first became Gujarat's Chief Minister on October 7, 2001, and became Prime Minister in 2014. The Cabinet resolution praises his leadership and contribution to national development, especially initiatives that help economically weaker and deprived sections. The government said the resolution would be sent to the Prime Minister.

Fadnavis cited schemes such as those on housing, health, sanitation and One Nation One Ration Card, which he said have benefited people across the country. He also listed infrastructure work in Maharashtra, including the metro network, Atal Setu, Samruddhi Expressway and Navi Mumbai International Airport.

Focus on irrigation, rural employment and infrastructure

The Chief Minister listed several initiatives related to agriculture, irrigation, water supply and industrial development. These include 29 major irrigation projects, the Baliraja Sanjeevani Yojana and the PM-KUSUM scheme, which supports solar-powered farming solutions.

He also mentioned loans being given to farmers, loans under the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, the completion of 29,000 water supply schemes, rural employment and the development of AURIC city in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Railway electrification and the allotment of land at Indu Mill for the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar memorial were also among the initiatives cited.

Fadnavis said development projects worth Rs 12 lakh crore are under way in Maharashtra under the Prime Minister's leadership. He reiterated the government's goal of helping make India a 5 trillion dollar economy by 2029, and said the Cabinet had also passed a resolution expressing gratitude for Modi's leadership.

For drought-hit farmers, the most important things for now are the promised financial assistance, timely instalments of the loan waiver and a reliable supply of drinking water. The challenge before the government will be to ensure the announced relief reaches eligible beneficiaries before Diwali and that water management measures keep pace with the growing shortage.