Fadnavis meets Shah to discuss Maharashtra's severe drought

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday to discuss the state's severe drought situation. Fadnavis apprised Shah of prevailing drought conditions and submitted a memorandum seeking maximum assistance from the Centre under National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) norms. He also urged the Home Minister to provide a special relief package for drought-affected farmers.

Maharashtra is currently experiencing a more severe drought than the one recorded in 1972. Out of 358 talukas in the state, 265 have already been declared drought-affected in the last month, with 20 additional talukas expected to be added to the trigger list in the coming days. Fadnavis noted that 32 districts are witnessing severe drought, with 80 percent of talukas affected. The state faces imminent fodder and water crises.

Following the meeting, Fadnavis told reporters that Shah, who chairs both NDRF and the Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) that considers drought assistance proposals, assured special assistance for Maharashtra. Fadnavis stated that a central government team would conduct ground survey and assessment from October 8 to October 11. He also disclosed discussions with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan regarding the drought response.