Pawar urges Fadnavis to declare drought, provide ₹50,000 per hectare aid to farmers

Mumbai: NCP leader Sharad Pawar has written to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, urging him to declare a drought and offer ₹50,000 per hectare in aid to farmers. Pawar highlighted that inadequate rainfall in 31 of Maharashtra's 36 districts has caused significant damage to crops and reduced sowing areas. He demanded immediate relief measures, including the waiver of farm loans and the implementation of a crop loan scheme for 2025-26.

Pawar also called for special works under the employment guarantee scheme and tanker arrangements to conserve water. The official rainfall figures for the period from June 1 to September 15 showed a 19% shortfall compared to the average.