Amravati, September 2026 : All districts in the Amravati division have been affected by drought, putting crops under severe stress. To provide relief to farmers, the state government has decided to take immediate measures. An order providing assistance under ‘Trigger-1’ of the drought code will be issued tomorrow, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Thursday.
After visiting drought-affected areas in Washim, Chief Minister Fadnavis held discussions at Amravati airport with Divisional Commissioner Nayana Gunde, Amravati District Collector Ashish Yerkar and Washim District Collector Yogesh Kumbhejkar. He later spoke to the media.
Fadnavis said the state government would provide immediate assistance to farmers without waiting for financial assistance from the Centre. At the same time, the necessary procedures, including preparation of crop-loss assessment reports, would be completed and a proposal would be sent to the Centre seeking additional assistance.
“It is necessary to issue the assistance order for farmers immediately. Since drought conditions are widespread across the region, assistance will be provided,” the Chief Minister said.
He said the government would also have to take measures to address shortages of fodder and drinking water in the coming period, besides providing foodgrains where required. Direct assistance would also be extended to ensure that the education of farmers’ children does not suffer because of the drought.
The government will assess the availability of water in different areas to determine whether Rabi crops can be cultivated using whatever water resources remain. Farmers will also be provided assistance for sowing Rabi crops, Fadnavis said.
To generate employment opportunities, greater emphasis will be placed on watershed development and water conservation works. With many water bodies having dried up, the government will identify reservoirs and ponds that require desilting, construction of water-retention structures and repairs, and undertake the necessary work.
Fadnavis said the crop situation was broadly similar across the affected region and the state government had therefore formulated a comprehensive assistance policy. The government would plan the disbursement of assistance so that farmers receive it before Diwali.
The Chief Minister also said the state government had implemented a loan-waiver scheme and the eligible amounts were being credited to farmers’ bank accounts. Banks would be required to provide fresh loans to farmers who had received loan waivers, in accordance with the applicable rules.
In addition, agricultural produce would be procured at government-declared support prices. Registration for such procurement would begin shortly, he said.
Fadnavis also said that the report on the fire that broke out at the district government hospital would be made public.
