First notification on drought mitigation in three days, Maharashtra government to seek Central aid: CM Fadnavis

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Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said financial assistance would be sought from the Centre even as the State government began extending aid to farmers. Photo: @CMOMaharashtra X/ANI Photo

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday (September 22, 2026) said the first notification related to drought mitigation would be issued in three days.

He said financial assistance would be sought from the Centre even as the State government began extending aid to farmers. “Just declaring drought is not enough. We need to ensure that measures related to drought mitigation [are implemented]. The first notification will be issued in three days,” Mr. Fadnavis told reporters after chairing a Cabinet meeting in Mumbai.

Several parts of Maharashtra, especially Marathwada and Vidarbha, are witnessing drought-like conditions due to a weak monsoon.

The Opposition has demanded that the government declare drought immediately and extend relief measures.

Mr. Fadnavis reiterated that the State government would not wait for financial assistance from the Centre to provide relief to farmers facing distress due to inadequate rainfall, and that a proposal seeking Central assistance would be prepared separately, as per National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) rules.

He said Ministers and MLAs would visit affected areas to assess the situation and interact with farmers. “The State has already initiated relief measures, while the formal process for seeking the Centre’s assistance would continue simultaneously,” he said.

Mr. Fadnavis said that during a drought or excessive rainfall, Central assistance often came late because a process had to be followed. “That process has been laid down under a law passed by Parliament, and certain timelines have been prescribed. We will complete all the legal requirements and send the proposal, but we will not wait for that assistance. Whatever help we have to provide, we will continue to provide it,” he added.

He said Ministers and MLAs would interact with farmers, who could raise grievances and express their views. “We will seek a package from the Centre and financial assistance. We will separately start preparing a proposal,” he added.

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