During a tour of the drought‑stricken Marathwada region, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met a visibly upset farmer in Nilanga taluka of Latur district who tearfully said, “Pani nahi, nuksan jhala ahe” (No water, we have suffered losses).
Fadnavis responded that a drought government resolution would be issued within two days, outlining financial assistance for rabi‑crop sowing, drinking water, cattle fodder and food‑grain supplies for affected families.
The chief minister had earlier, on September 22, announced the formation of a sub‑committee chaired by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule to handle the drought response, and a drought‑related government resolution (GR) was slated for September 26.
He added that Latur has been the worst hit this year, receiving only about 50% of its usual rainfall, compared with 65‑70% the previous year, leading to significant crop loss.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde visited Akola district on September 23 and said the situation left “no alternative but to announce a drought.” State data show a 17% rainfall deficit, with 787.2 mm recorded against a normal 953.2 mm, and officials attribute the shortfall partly to the El Niño phenomenon.
Opposition leader Rohit Pawar of the NCP‑SP coalition condemned the farmer’s breakdown and demanded ₹50,000 per hectare for farmers and ₹25,000 per family for agricultural labourers. NCP MP Supriya Sule credited Sharad Pawar’s letter to the chief minister for prompting the government’s recent actions.