Demand for special assistance from Central Government; Central team to inspect Maharashtra from October 8
New Delhi, October 2026: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his two-day visit to Delhi. During the meeting, the Chief Minister informed Shah about the serious drought situation in Maharashtra and the measures being taken by the state government in this regard, and demanded special assistance from the Central Government. Along with this, the Chief Minister held an important discussion with Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh regarding the expansion of Nagpur Airport. Following this discussion, the way has been cleared for making available 27 acres of land required for Nagpur Airport from the Defence Department.
The Chief Minister also handed over a copy of the advance proposal sent by the state government to the Centre during his meeting with Union Home Minister Shah. He brought to Shah’s notice that there is a serious drought situation in around 32 districts of the state and nearly 80 per cent of the talukas are affected by drought. A Central team will visit various parts of Maharashtra from October 8 to 11 for an on-ground inspection of the drought situation. The team will conduct an actual inspection and submit a factual report. A decision regarding assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund will be taken on the basis of the proposal sent by the state and the report of the Central team. Fadnavis also said that Union Minister Shah assured him that maximum assistance would be provided to Maharashtra by the Centre and that the Central Government would stand firmly behind Maharashtra.
Referring to the discussion held with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister Fadnavis said that, along with the criteria of satellite images, other criteria such as breaks in rainfall, groundwater levels, crop damage and actual inspection would also be considered. Even if some talukas do not fit the criteria based on satellite images, they will also be considered if they qualify on other criteria. He clarified that the process of providing drought relief on the basis of crop damage has also been started in around 20 talukas.
Immediate Assistance to Farmers from State Funds
The Chief Minister said that since it may take time to receive assistance from the Centre, the state government is preparing to provide the first assistance to farmers from its available resources. Crop surveys have been completed in around 23,000 villages, while the remaining survey process is also being carried out rapidly. He said that the state government is making efforts to complete the entire process and provide assistance to farmers as soon as possible.
Way Cleared for Transfer of 27 Acres for Nagpur Airport
Chief Minister Fadnavis also met Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The issue of the 27 acres of land required for the new terminal building of Nagpur Airport was discussed during the meeting. This land is currently under the possession of the Indian Air Force. The Air Force has taken a positive position on immediately transferring the land required for the work on the new terminal. The remaining portion will also be transferred later after completing the construction required for that part. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari participated in the meeting through video conferencing.
The Defence Ministry has also agreed to grant the necessary permissions related to helicopter parking and other activities within the Air Force premises for the movement of heavy machinery required for construction. For this, the necessary ‘SOP’ will be prepared. Chief Minister Fadnavis said that this has removed the obstacles faced by the terminal project at Nagpur Airport.
Government’s Stand on MPSC Agitation is in Students’ Interest
Reacting to the agitation by MPSC students, Chief Minister Fadnavis said that the state government has taken a positive stand on all five demands put forward by the students’ delegation. He said the government has also expressed its readiness to conduct a judicial inquiry regarding the inquiry into the allegations against the Chairman of the Maharashtra Public Service Commission. The government has also made its position clear that if any irregularity or misconduct is found in the inquiry, further action will be taken under Article 317 of the Constitution.
A committee headed by V. Radha has been constituted to increase transparency in the examinations conducted by the Maharashtra Public Service Commission. The process of suggesting reforms through dialogue with students, professors, former students and other concerned stakeholders has also begun.
However, Chief Minister Fadnavis expressed displeasure over the political use of the agitation instead of focusing on the students’ issues. He also clarified that the police in the state handled the situation with utmost restraint during the agitation and that the interests of students remain the highest priority of the government.
