Mumbai: NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) chief Sharad Pawar has urged the Maharashtra government to declare drought in affected regions of the state and announce immediate relief measures for farmers facing crop losses, water shortages and fodder scarcity.

In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Pawar placed a series of demands, including financial assistance of Rs 50,000 per hectare for affected farmers and Rs 25,000 for landless agricultural labourer families. He also sought an immediate farm loan waiver and fresh crop loans to help farmers recover from losses.

Pawar called for effective implementation of crop insurance schemes, compensation for damaged crops, deployment of water tankers and establishment of fodder camps in drought-affected areas. He also demanded employment opportunities through water conservation works, repairs of faulty power transformers and monitoring cells to assess the ground situation.

The NCP leader further sought complete educational fee waivers for students from drought-hit talukas. His demands come amid concerns over prolonged dry conditions in parts of Maharashtra, with reports indicating that several talukas across multiple districts have experienced extended rainfall deficits.

The state government has maintained that any drought declaration must follow a detailed assessment process, including ground-level verification by revenue and agriculture departments. Relief measures are generally announced after reviewing crop conditions, rainfall data and water availability.

Pawar’s appeal has intensified the debate over agricultural distress and relief measures, with farmer organisations also seeking immediate government intervention in areas affected by inadequate rainfall and rising cultivation challenges.