Overview
- The Maharashtra government issued a Government Resolution on Saturday declaring 265 of 358 talukas—about 74 percent of the state—as drought‑affected and activating Trigger‑1 of its Drought Management Code.
- Trigger‑1 was applied after the Agriculture Commissioner’s report and state rainfall data showed sustained deficits during the Kharif season, with an overall shortfall of 18.8 percent and some divisions or districts reporting 27–50 percent drops.
- The state announced a 12‑point relief package that includes land‑revenue concessions, restructuring and a moratorium on crop loans, electricity concessions for agricultural pumps, waiver of examination fees, expanded MGNREGA works, tanker water and fodder supply.
- District collectors were ordered to begin panchnama crop assessments immediately and to collect geotagged photographs and GPS coordinates as official evidence; the government said a separate GR will specify financial compensation after verification.
- Opposition parties and farmer groups say the declaration is late and demand faster direct payouts and larger aid, and officials warn implementation and the forthcoming compensation order will determine whether help reaches farmers before the rabi season.