India
Central Inter‑Ministerial Group Begins Maharashtra Tour to Inspect Drought Conditions
An 11‑member central inter‑ministerial group began a four‑day tour of Maharashtra on Thursday to assess the drought situation. The group was split into three teams that will cover Western Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha. The first team will visit Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Beed and Jalna; the second will go to Ahilyanagar, Solapur and Pune; the third will cover Nagpur and Yavatmal. On the final day the group will meet state government representatives in Mumbai. The tour follows a meeting between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during which Fadnavis requested interim financial assistance of ₹17,500 crore. The group will conduct ground inspections and submit a report to the National Disaster Response Force, which will consider the findings together with the state government’s proposal before deciding on assistance. The state government has requested interim relief of ₹13,000 crore for crop losses and ₹4,500 crore for fodder management amid scarcity. Maharashtra has declared drought across 265 of its 358 talukas (74 %) and reports that 80 % of the state, covering 32 districts, is affected. An official said the inter‑ministerial group is expected to hold a meeting with state officials on Sunday to discuss the drought and the relief package.
Frequently asked questions
What is the composition and duration of the central inter‑ministerial group's tour in Maharashtra?
The 11‑member group is conducting a four‑day tour across Maharashtra, divided into three teams that will cover Western Maharashtra, Marathwada, and Vidarbha.
Which areas will each team of the group visit?
Team 1 will visit Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Beed and Jalna; Team 2 will go to Ahilyanagar, Solapur and Pune; Team 3 will cover Nagpur and Yavatmal.
What financial assistance has been requested by the Maharashtra government and the central government?
The state government has requested interim relief of ₹13,000 crore for crop losses and ₹4,500 crore for fodder management, while CM Devendra Fadnavis requested interim financial assistance of ₹17,500 crore from the central government.