Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Wednesday declared drought in 305 talukas, expanding the list from an earlier 265. Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also announced a Rs 5,000 Diwali bonus for drought-affected farmers to offer financial relief ahead of the festival.
Diwali Bonus and Financial Relief for Farmers
CM Fadnavis stated that the state decided to expedite relief measures considering the financial distress faced by farmers due to crop losses. Normally, drought assistance is released in December, but the government declared it in advance this year.
“This Diwali is going to be difficult for farmers. Considering this situation, we have decided to provide Rs 5,000 to farmers as a Diwali bonus,” Fadnavis said, adding that the amount will be credited directly to their bank accounts before Diwali. He noted that loan waiver amounts are also being credited simultaneously to help farmers meet their festive needs.
Water Scarcity and Tanker Monitoring
Addressing the growing water crisis in the state, Fadnavis pointed out that groundwater levels have dropped below 3 meters. As a result, the demand for drinking water tankers is increasing across affected regions.
To ensure efficient supply, the government is arranging drinking water tankers and tracking their movement via GPS. Additionally, authorities have disconnected 16,000 illegal water connections to secure a safe drinking water supply for residents.
Cabinet Resolution Congratulating PM Narendra Modi
During the press conference, Fadnavis shared details of a resolution passed by the state Cabinet recognizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25 years as head of government. PM Modi completed 25 years in governance on October 7, 2026, having started his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001 before serving three terms as Prime Minister.
The Cabinet noted PM Modi’s contributions toward the poor and deprived through initiatives such as housing, health, toilets, and the One Nation One Ration Card scheme, describing him as a “Karmayogi.”
Fadnavis highlighted several key projects and central initiatives credited to PM Modi’s leadership:
-Infrastructure and Development: Major state projects including Metro lines, Atal Setu, Samruddhi Expressway, Navi Mumbai International Airport, and AURIC City in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
-Agriculture and Irrigation: Approval of 29 major irrigation projects, the creation of Baliraja Sanjivani Yojana, allocation of Rs 11 lakh crore under PM-KUSUM Yojana, and Rs 1 lakh crore in farm loans.
-Social and Cultural Initiatives: Granting Classical Language status to Marathi, placing Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s Rajmudra on warships, providing land for Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Indu Mill memorial, and plans to celebrate the 200th birth anniversary of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule.
-Employment and Infrastructure Stats: Completion of 29,000 water supply schemes, creation of 2 crore rural jobs, and achieving 100% railway electrification in the state.
The Chief Minister concluded that the state Cabinet passed a formal resolution thanking PM Modi for development works worth Rs 12 lakh crore currently underway in Maharashtra and extending wishes for his long life as India works toward becoming a $5 trillion economy by 2029.
