Shiv Sena (UBT) has stepped up pressure on the Maharashtra government to formally recognise drought-hit areas and provide immediate financial assistance to farmers affected by deficient rainfall and crop losses.
Through its party mouthpiece Saamana, the Uddhav Thackeray-led party called for the state to make funds available for farmers without allowing procedural requirements or the wait for central assistance to delay relief. The demand comes as the Devendra Fadnavis government prepares formal drought-related orders and says assistance will begin without waiting for funds from the Centre.
Shiv Sena (UBT) Presses Government for Immediate Drought Declaration
The opposition party's intervention follows weeks of concern over drought-like conditions in several parts of Maharashtra, particularly Marathwada and Vidarbha.
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on September 24 demanded that drought be declared on a tehsil-wise basis and called for a special session of the Maharashtra legislature to discuss relief measures. He also sought region-specific Cabinet meetings in drought-affected areas.
Thackeray has argued that the government should not delay intervention while completing administrative formalities. His party has also sought direct financial assistance for affected cultivators, measures addressing farm debt, drinking-water arrangements and fodder availability.
The opposition demand is part of a wider political debate over how quickly Maharashtra should formally declare drought and begin compensation.
What Shiv Sena (UBT) Is Demanding
The party has sought immediate government intervention for farmers instead of waiting for the completion of every stage of the formal drought assessment process.
Among the measures publicly demanded by Thackeray are ₹50,000 per hectare in assistance for affected farmers, a comprehensive farm loan waiver and a special legislative session focused on drought relief.
He has also proposed a dedicated drought dashboard showing information such as affected districts and villages, crop-loss assessments, sanctioned assistance, money actually disbursed, drinking-water shortages and fodder availability.
The proposed dashboard, according to the opposition, would allow the public and farmers to track how much relief has been announced and how much has actually reached beneficiaries.
Maharashtra Government Says It Will Not Wait for Central Aid
The state government has meanwhile said it is preparing its own relief measures and will not wait for financial support from the Centre before assisting farmers.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said during visits to drought-affected areas that the government would use state resources to begin assistance while separately seeking support under National Disaster Response Fund norms.
Fadnavis said a formal Government Resolution would be issued to initiate relief measures and that crop-loss assessments were already under way.
On September 24, he said the government planned to issue the drought-related order by Friday evening, with direct financial assistance forming part of the response.
This means both the opposition and the state government now publicly agree on the need for urgent assistance, although they differ over the pace, process and scope of the response.
How Serious Is Maharashtra's Drought Situation?
Large parts of Maharashtra have experienced prolonged gaps in rainfall during the 2026 monsoon season, putting kharif crops under severe stress.
Soybean, maize and cotton are among crops identified by the state government as suffering significant damage, while paddy cultivation has also been affected in some areas.
An analysis based on the IIT Gandhinagar India Drought Monitor found that around 84% of Maharashtra was abnormally dry or experiencing some level of drought in the week ending September 16, while 56.5% was classified as being in severe drought or worse under that monitoring system.
Those figures are independent drought-monitor measurements and are not the same as an official state drought declaration.
The Maharashtra government's official process determines which areas qualify for statutory relief and other drought-related measures.
Government Begins Crop Assessments and Field Visits
The Maharashtra government has already directed authorities to conduct crop-loss assessments, or panchnamas, in affected areas.
A Cabinet sub-committee headed by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has also been established to take decisions related to drought relief. According to the government, particular attention will be given to drinking water and fodder supplies over the coming months.
Fadnavis and other ministers have been visiting affected districts and meeting farmers to review conditions directly.
In Latur and Dharashiv, Fadnavis described the drought-like conditions as extremely serious and said rainfall in the two districts was around half of normal levels this year.
Opposition Seeks Special Legislature Session
Along with immediate assistance, Uddhav Thackeray has requested a two-to-three-day special session of the state legislature.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief said the legislature should discuss crop losses, drinking-water arrangements, compensation and other measures for farmers rather than leaving decisions solely to administrative departments.
He has also questioned how previously announced agricultural relief packages were implemented and sought information about the number of farmers who actually received assistance.
The demand adds legislative scrutiny and transparency to the wider debate over drought management in Maharashtra.
Why the Drought Declaration Matters
An official drought notification is significant because it establishes which geographical areas qualify for specific government relief measures.
The declaration can affect access to financial assistance, agricultural support programmes, drinking-water measures, fodder arrangements and other forms of disaster relief.
For farmers, however, timing is also important. Crop losses affect both current income and the ability to finance the next sowing season.
The Maharashtra government has therefore said assistance for rabi sowing will also form part of its response.
Key Facts
What has Shiv Sena (UBT) demanded?
The party has called for an immediate drought declaration in affected areas, financial assistance to farmers, a farm loan waiver and a special legislature session.
How much assistance has Uddhav Thackeray sought?
He has demanded ₹50,000 per hectare for affected farmers.
What has the Maharashtra government said?
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said Maharashtra will begin providing assistance without waiting for central funds.
Which crops have been affected?
Government reports have highlighted damage to soybean, maize and cotton, among other crops.
When is the government expected to act?
Fadnavis said a formal drought-related Government Resolution and relief measures were expected on September 25, 2026.
FAQs
Why is Shiv Sena (UBT) demanding a drought declaration in Maharashtra?
The party says farmers facing crop losses and water shortages require immediate assistance and has argued that administrative procedures should not unnecessarily delay relief.
What financial aid has Uddhav Thackeray demanded for farmers?
Thackeray has sought financial assistance of ₹50,000 per hectare for drought-affected farmers.
Has Maharashtra officially declared drought?
As of the morning of September 25, 2026, the government was preparing an order identifying affected areas and announcing drought-related relief measures.
Will Maharashtra wait for the Centre before helping farmers?
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said the state will begin providing assistance from its own resources while separately seeking central assistance under applicable disaster-relief norms.
Which parts of Maharashtra are facing serious drought conditions?
Marathwada, Vidarbha and parts of western Maharashtra are among the regions reporting serious crop and water stress, although the official notification will determine the areas formally covered by drought-relief measures.