Pune: A collective of economists, social scientists, and activists has demanded an immediate Rs 1.66 lakh crore drought relief package for Maharashtra’s 304 affected talukas, calling for a complete farm loan waiver, crop loss compensation, monthly cash assistance for 10.2 lakh vulnerable households, and generation of at least 30.2 crore person-days of work by June 2027.In an open letter to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra Drought Collective (MDC) called for immediate public works in every gram panchayat, with daily wages of at least Rs 350 paid within a week. The group also demanded an additional 50 days of work under the employment guarantee scheme and suspension of 60-day peak-season pause on job generation in drought-hit areas.“The draft letter has already garnered about 400 signatures, and we will send it to the CM in a few days,” said Neeraj Hatekar, former economics professor at Mumbai University and convener of MDC. “We have also received several suggestions, which we will compile and submit in a separate document later.”Refusing to term the drought an unforeseen emergency—noting that Union agriculture ministry had flagged 315 districts as drought-prone as early as June—the letter criticises the state’s Oct 14, 2026 govt resolution. It argues that the order lists 12 concessions without committing funds, failing to account for required person-days of work, cattle camps, water tankers, and their associated costs. Further, the economists noted that Rs 5,000 cash transfer requires applicants to be listed in land records, effectively excluding tenant farmers and sharecroppers.The collective urged the govt to set up cattle camps and fodder depots before stocks run dry, alongside ensuring drinking water supply. “The state will need about 14,700 camps for 73 lakh animals starting Feb 2027, and roughly 9,000 drinking water tankers at peak summer for 85 lakh people,” the draft stated. “Piped water schemes and wells must also be repaired on a war footing.”Strongly opposing the proposed restructuring of farm loans, the letter demanded a complete waiver instead. “The govt must waive the principal and interest on all crop and term loans, including overdue and NPA accounts, for farmers in the declared talukas,” the draft read. “As the RBI advises, the state should pay the banks in full within 45 to 60 days. The loans at stake amount to at most Rs 2.34 lakh crore. The govt must also guarantee fresh loans for upcoming seasons and halt all coercive recovery by microfinance institutions, private finance companies, and moneylenders.”Excluding the loan waiver, the economists estimate the total relief package will cost around Rs 1.66 lakh crore. They also sought universal rations in the affected talukas, nutrition support via anganwadis and school meals, and a weekly, taluka-wise public audit of work, payments, water, fodder, and camps by gram sabhas.The letter pointed out that while the state govt has sought roughly Rs31,000 crore from the Centre, the request covers only kharif crop losses. “Support for the rabi season is to be sought separately, while nothing has been requested for employment, cash relief, cattle camps, or drinking water, which would cost about Rs 33,300 crore even under central norms. The state must include these in its memorandum,” the collective added.
