Maharashtra drought: Centre deploys 10-member CIMT for ground assessment
Synopsis
With 265 talukas and roughly 80 per cent of Maharashtra's geographical area officially drought-declared, the Centre has dispatched a 10-member inter-ministerial team to assess crop damage and water stress on the ground — a prerequisite for unlocking NDRF funds for farmers facing one of the state's most widespread agricultural crises in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
The Central Government constituted a 10-member Central Inter-Ministerial Team (CIMT) on 5 October 2026 to assess Maharashtra's drought situation.
The team will be led by Muktanand Agarwal , Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare .
As per a State GR dated 26 September 2026 , 265 talukas in Maharashtra have been officially declared drought-affected.
Approximately 80 per cent of Maharashtra's geographical area is facing severe agricultural distress due to erratic monsoon conditions.
The CIMT report will guide relief disbursements under both the NDRF and the SDRF .
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier submitted an interim memorandum to the Centre seeking financial assistance under NDRF norms.
The Central Government on Monday, 5 October 2026, constituted a high-level Central Inter-Ministerial Team (CIMT) to conduct an on-ground assessment of the worsening drought situation across Maharashtra, with the evaluation expected to fast-track financial relief for distressed farmers under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane confirmed the development, saying the team's findings would facilitate the speedy release of rehabilitation assistance.
Team Composition and Mandate
The 10-member CIMT will be led by Muktanand Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The panel draws senior officials from across the Union government, including the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW), Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure), NITI Aayog, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Department of Food and Public Distribution, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Rural Development, the Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC), and the Crop Division of the Union Ministry of Agriculture.
Working in close coordination with state and district administrations, the team will assess crop damage, water stress, and livelihood impact in accordance with the Manual for Drought Management, 2020. A comprehensive report recommending appropriate relief measures under both the NDRF and the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) will be submitted to the Union Government following field visits to the worst-affected districts.
Scale of the Crisis
According to a State Government Resolution (GR) issued on 26 September 2026, a total of 265 talukas across Maharashtra have officially been declared drought-affected. Approximately 80 per cent of the state's geographical area is currently facing severe agricultural distress and extensive crop damage, attributed to erratic monsoon conditions this season.
This is one of the most widespread drought declarations the state has recorded in recent years, with the scale of affected talukas cutting across multiple revenue divisions and agro-climatic zones.
What the State Government Said
Minister Dattatray Bharane expressed confidence that the arrival of the Central inspection team would help expedite the disbursement of drought-relief funds to affected farmers. He noted that under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, the state government was making every effort to help farmers overcome the crisis.
The deployment of the CIMT follows sustained coordination and follow-up efforts by Bharane with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Earlier, Chief Minister Fadnavis had submitted an interim memorandum to the Centre seeking financial assistance under NDRF norms. The matter was also raised during the recent national Rabi season review conference in New Delhi, where Bharane highlighted the severity of crop losses and water scarcity affecting Maharashtra's farmers and sought immediate Central intervention. Union Agriculture Minister Chouhan reportedly assured full support from the Centre.
What Happens Next
Following field visits, the CIMT's report will inform the quantum of NDRF and SDRF relief to be released to Maharashtra. The speed and adequacy of the Central response will be closely watched by farming communities in the 265 affected talukas, many of whom are already dealing with failed kharif crops ahead of the Rabi sowing season.
Point of View
Any administrative delay compounds the agrarian stress. Maharashtra's farmers have historically seen relief announcements outpace actual fund transfers; the involvement of NITI Aayog and the Finance Ministry's Department of Expenditure in this team signals intent, but also suggests the fiscal calculus is still being negotiated. The political optics — a BJP-led state pressing a BJP-led Centre — should, in theory, smooth the process, yet the scale of the crisis at 80 per cent of the state's area demands a response that is faster than the institutional machinery typically delivers.
NationPress
6 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Central Inter-Ministerial Team (CIMT) formed for Maharashtra?
The CIMT is a 10-member high-level Central team constituted on 5 October 2026 to conduct an on-ground assessment of the drought situation across Maharashtra. Its findings will guide the release of financial relief under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for affected farmers.
How many talukas in Maharashtra have been declared drought-affected?
According to a State Government Resolution issued on 26 September 2026, a total of 265 talukas across Maharashtra have officially been declared drought-affected. Approximately 80 per cent of the state's geographical area is currently facing severe agricultural distress.
Who is leading the Central inspection team for Maharashtra drought?
The 10-member CIMT will be headed by Muktanand Agarwal, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. The team includes senior officials from NITI Aayog, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Jal Shakti, and several other Union ministries.
What relief funds can Maharashtra receive for the drought?
Maharashtra can receive financial assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). The quantum of relief will be determined after the CIMT submits its comprehensive report to the Union Government following field visits to the worst-affected districts.
What steps has the Maharashtra government already taken on the drought?
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis submitted an interim memorandum to the Centre seeking NDRF assistance, and Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharane raised the issue at the national Rabi season review conference in New Delhi. Bharane also coordinated with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who reportedly assured full Central support.
