28 September,2026 02:59 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. File Pic
NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has submitted a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, putting forward 17 demands for immediate relief for drought-affected farmers, agricultural labourers and rural residents in the state.
In the letter, Pawar demanded a waiver of agricultural and allied loans taken from cooperative banks, nationalised banks, urban cooperative banks and credit societies.
"Loans taken by farmers for agriculture and allied activities from cooperative banks, nationalised banks, urban cooperative banks and credit societies, as well as personal loans from the Social Justice, Minority and Tribal Welfare departments, loans taken for orchards, and loans taken by women's self-help groups (SHGs) since the previous loan waiver should be completely waived," Pawar said in the letter, ANI reported.
He also sought a waiver of land revenue and agricultural electricity bills, along with the provision of 25 kg of free foodgrains per family and direct financial assistance for affected people.
"Complete land revenue should be waived. All electricity bills for farmers' agricultural pumps should be waived. Twenty-five kg of foodgrains should be provided free of cost per family to farmer and agricultural labourer families dependent on agriculture," the letter read.
The demands also include financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh per hectare for farmers and Rs 25,000 for agricultural labourers affected by the drought.
"Considering the severity of the drought situation in Maharashtra, financial assistance of Rs 1,00,000 per hectare for farmers and Rs 25,000 for agricultural labourers should be transferred immediately to their bank accounts," Pawar said, ANI reported.
Pawar further demanded that tehsildars be empowered to approve water tankers to ensure the immediate availability of drinking water for people and livestock.
"The authority to approve water tankers for drinking water for people as well as livestock should be given to tehsildars, and immediate action should be taken in this regard," he said.
He also sought employment guarantee works, special funds for water conservation measures, a waiver of educational fees, hostel fees and mess charges for students, and compensation for losses suffered by farmers due to damage to crops and fruit orchards.
"Under the Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA), the current criteria should be relaxed to start water conservation works. Educational fees of school and college students in drought-affected areas, as well as hostel and mess fees of students staying in hostels, should be completely waived," Pawar said.
In the letter, Pawar also demanded that a special three-day session of the Maharashtra Legislature be convened to discuss the drought situation and urged the government to provide assistance to farmers and agricultural labourers before Dussehra and Diwali.
"A special three-day session of the Maharashtra Legislature should be convened to discuss the drought situation in detail and take decisions regarding necessary measures," he said, ANI reported.
Pawar urged the Maharashtra government to seriously consider the difficulties faced by drought-affected farmers, agricultural workers and rural residents and implement the demands without delay.
"It is requested that the above-mentioned demands be implemented urgently by the government to provide immediate relief to farmers, agricultural labourers and citizens suffering from the drought," Pawar said
(With ANI inputs)
