Why was Konkan left out of drought list, asks Shiv Sena UBT's Bhaskar Jadhav

With the state facing drought conditions, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently declared drought in 265 of the state's 358 talukas, covering nearly 75 percent of Maharashtra. Amid this, the issue of Konkan's farmers has resurfaced. Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader and MLA Bhaskar Jadhav has drawn the government's attention to crop losses in Konkan and demanded immediate help for farmers.

In a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Jadhav wrote that unseasonal rain has badly affected paddy and nachani (finger millet) crops in Konkan. He said drought has now reached Konkan as well, and farmers have suffered heavy crop losses. Jadhav asked why Konkan was not accounted for in the drought decision despite farmers being in distress.

According to Jadhav, unseasonal rain and poor weather this year have caused major damage to farming in Konkan. With paddy and several other crops damaged, farmers have been pushed into financial hardship. He said that in such a situation, the government should also take Konkan's condition seriously while identifying drought-affected areas and provide help to farmers.

MLA Jadhav said, "Konkan is being hit by drought, yet why is Konkan being denied help? Farmers are in tears, their crops have been damaged. Still, why was Konkan not given the attention it deserved in the drought decision?" He said there is a growing feeling that Konkan's farmers are being treated as second-class by having their problems ignored. He has therefore demanded that the government examine the real situation in Konkan and immediately announce help and necessary relief for the affected farmers.

Jadhav also said that Konkan's farmers too are facing bad weather, and the government should review the actual situation and provide financial assistance and compensation to those who have suffered losses. He had earlier also sought government help over damage to paddy cultivation and orchards in Konkan. In March 2026, the government had announced assistance of Rs 22,000 per hectare for mango and cashew growers, after which too Jadhav had raised questions about the amount of help.