Maharashtra farmers hold protests, seek drought aid; doing everything possible, won’t let them suffer: CM

A pause in the monsoon has led to a drought-like situation in parts of Maharashtra’s Marathwada and Vidarbha regions. At least 83 talukas in 19 districts have recorded a rain break of more than 20 days, with some areas going without rain for over 40 days, according to the State Agriculture Department.

On Wednesday, farmers demanded that the Maharashtra government officially declare a drought in the affected districts, provide compensation and implement relief measures.

The government has ordered a ground-level assessment from October 5 to assess the extent of damage and provide relief to affected farmers.

Farmers in Washim and Beed districts took to the roads on Wednesday. In Washim, the symbolic protests were led by NCP(SP) leader Rohit Pawar.