Congress attacks Maharashtra government for data-centre industry expansion push amid drought

With the Maharashtra government declaring a drought in 265 of its 358 talukas, the Congress on Sunday (September 27, 2026) raised questions over the policy of aggressively expanding the data-centre industry and asked what the plan is to ensure that the State's water resources are not diverted away from farmers and ordinary citizens to fuel this expansion.

The Maharashtra government on Saturday (September 26, 2026) declared drought in 265 of its 358 talukas , or 74% of the State, amid rainfall deficit and announced relief measures, including crop loan restructuring, land revenue concessions, and power bill subsidies.

Congress' media and publicity department head Pawan Khera said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has officially declared drought in 265 of Maharashtra's 358 talukas - nearly 75% of the State, and this is happening as Maharashtra aggressively expands its data-centre industry.