20 September,2026 01:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal
Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal on Saturday demanded that the state government immediately declare a drought, provide financial assistance of Rs 50,000 per hectare to affected farmers and announce a complete farm loan waiver, citing prolonged dry spells and crop losses in several parts of the state.
Sapkal alleged that some areas had received little or no rainfall for nearly one-and-a-half months, leaving standing crops to wither in the fields. He accused the Mahayuti government of failing to take concrete measures to address what he described as a serious agrarian crisis.
"The government should declare a drought immediately and deposit Rs 50,000 per hectare into farmers' bank accounts and announce a complete loan waiver. If the government does not take immediate action, we will not allow ministers to move around in the state," he said in a statement.
Sapkal alleged that the government was discussing the drought situation in cabinet meetings but had not taken concrete decisions. He also claimed that guardian ministers had not visited farmers affected by the prolonged dry spell.
The demands come amid wider calls for drought relief in Maharashtra. NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar also recently sought a drought declaration and financial assistance of Rs 50,000 per hectare for affected farmers, along with a loan waiver and other relief measures.
"The BJP-led Mahayuti government is not sensitive. Farmers are suffering, but the government is deliberately ignoring their plight. While the government is spending Rs 350 crore on installing CCTV cameras for Kumbh Mela, it is reluctant to provide financial assistance to farmers," Sapkal said.
He also urged the government to consider cloud seeding and provide substantial assistance to farmers before Dussehra.
"There is still time. These are the festival days and the government should immediately declare a drought and provide substantial assistance before Dussehra," he said.
The state government has acknowledged drought-like conditions in parts of Maharashtra. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on September 19 that a preliminary assessment would be completed within a week, followed by crop surveys and assistance measures. He also said arrangements were being considered for drinking water, fodder and additional power supply for farmers.
Sapkal also criticised celebrations held on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday on September 17, saying such events were inappropriate when people were facing economic and social difficulties.
Referring to appeals for people to light oil lamps on Modi's birthday, Sapkal said it was contradictory to earlier appeals attributed to Modi urging people to economise, including by using less oil.
"At a time when people are facing difficulties, celebrating a birthday is inappropriate. The call to light oil lamps amounted to self-worship," he said.
Sapkal alleged that unemployment, women's safety concerns, farmers' distress and inflation had worsened during the Modi government.
The Maharashtra Congress chief also accused the Election Commission of acting as an "agent" of the BJP and alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise was an attempt to deprive people of their voting rights.
Sapkal said the Congress opposed the functioning of the Election Commission and would continue its fight to protect democracy in the country.
(With inputs from PTI)
