📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Sanket Oswal
Agriculture
Maharashtra declares 265 talukas drought-hit, crop loan restructuring, power concessions
✍️ Livemint
🗓 26 Sep 2026, 07:36 PM
👁 4
The state government has identified 265 talukas as drought‑affected and announced measures including restructuring of crop loans and concessional electricity rates for farmers.
Maharashtra's cabinet approved a list of 265 talukas that are facing severe water scarcity, officially labeling them as drought‑hit. The decision follows a prolonged dry spell that has reduced crop yields across the western state.
In response, the government unveiled a package aimed at easing farmers' financial stress. Existing agricultural loans will be restructured, allowing extended repayment periods and reduced interest rates to help borrowers recover from the loss of income.
Additionally, the state will provide power concessions to eligible cultivators in the affected talukas. The electricity tariff for irrigation and related agricultural activities will be lowered, lowering operational costs for farmers during the critical planting season.
The measures are part of Maharashtra's broader drought‑relief strategy, which also includes water‑conservation projects and increased allocation of relief funds to the most vulnerable districts.
Officials said the initiatives will be implemented immediately, with the finance department coordinating with banks and the electricity board to ensure swift disbursement of benefits.
In response, the government unveiled a package aimed at easing farmers' financial stress. Existing agricultural loans will be restructured, allowing extended repayment periods and reduced interest rates to help borrowers recover from the loss of income.
Additionally, the state will provide power concessions to eligible cultivators in the affected talukas. The electricity tariff for irrigation and related agricultural activities will be lowered, lowering operational costs for farmers during the critical planting season.
The measures are part of Maharashtra's broader drought‑relief strategy, which also includes water‑conservation projects and increased allocation of relief funds to the most vulnerable districts.
Officials said the initiatives will be implemented immediately, with the finance department coordinating with banks and the electricity board to ensure swift disbursement of benefits.