Maharashtra Drought Aid: Rs 5,000 Advance for 1.5 Crore Farmers
Why in the news
On 27 October 2026, the Maharashtra Cabinet cleared an advance relief payment for farmers hit by drought, along with several infrastructure and administrative decisions.
Key facts
- Advance aid: Rs 5,000 per farmer for nearly 1.5 crore farmers whose crops suffered damage of more than 33%.
- Drought-hit areas: the state had declared drought in 304 out of 358 tehsils following deficient rains.
- Mode of payment: money to be credited directly to bank accounts through DBT before Diwali.
- Chipi airport (Sindhudurg): 100% viability gap funding (VGF) for airlines on Navi Mumbai-Chipi and return routes to revive flights.
- Pune exhibition centre: to be built on the lines of Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- EV support: Rs 66.82 crore assistance to Bajaj Auto Ltd under the Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Promotion Policy.
- Disability welfare: 1% of District Annual Plan (General) funds earmarked for persons with disabilities.
Irrigation trend
| Year (end) | Irrigated area |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 45 lakh hectares |
| 2025 | 58 lakh hectares |
The water resources department also received a revised staffing pattern of 39,722 posts.
About drought relief
The relief follows the state’s drought declaration after a year of deficient rainfall. Only farmers whose crop loss crossed 33% qualify, and the advance goes straight into their bank accounts through DBT, timed to reach them before the Diwali festival.
Exam angle
- Remember the numbers: Rs 5,000 advance, about 1.5 crore farmers, 304 drought-hit talukas.
- Know VGF: government support that bridges the gap to make a project or route commercially viable.
- Chipi airport is in Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra.