Fadnavis briefs Amit Shah on Maharashtra drought, seeks NDRF aid for 32 districts
Synopsis
Maharashtra's drought crisis has reached Delhi's corridors of power — CM Fadnavis has formally sought NDRF relief for 32 districts, with a Central team landing in the state from October 8. The same visit also unblocked the long-stalled Nagpur Airport expansion by securing IAF land transfer clearance, and saw the government commit to a judicial inquiry into the MPSC controversy.
Key Takeaways
CM Devendra Fadnavis met HM Amit Shah in New Delhi on 7 October 2026 , seeking Central drought relief for 32 Maharashtra districts .
Nearly 80% of talukas in the affected districts are severely drought-hit; crop surveys completed in about 23,000 villages .
A Central fact-finding team will assess ground conditions from 8 to 11 October ; NDRF decisions will follow its report.
Nagpur Airport expansion unblocked: IAF agrees to transfer 27 acres required for the new terminal building.
Government accepts all five demands of MPSC protesters and agrees to a judicial inquiry into allegations against the MPSC Chairman .
State to provide immediate farmer relief from its own resources while awaiting Central disbursements.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi during a two-day visit to the capital, briefing him on severe drought conditions gripping the state and formally requesting special financial assistance from the Centre. Fadnavis handed over an advance proposal from the state government, underscoring the urgency of relief for an estimated 32 districts where nearly 80 per cent of talukas are severely affected.
Scale of the Drought Crisis
Chief Minister Fadnavis highlighted that the drought conditions across Maharashtra are widespread and deepening. Crop surveys have already been completed in approximately 23,000 villages, with the remaining survey work being carried out on a priority basis. Relief under the crop damage framework is already underway in around 20 talukas, even as the broader assessment continues.
Since Central disbursements under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) may take time to arrive, Fadnavis said the state government is preparing to deploy immediate assistance to farmers from its own available resources. He emphasised that the government aims to complete all formalities and release aid at the earliest possible date.
Central Team to Visit Maharashtra from October 8
A Central fact-finding team will visit various parts of Maharashtra from 8 to 11 October to assess ground conditions firsthand. The team's inspection report, combined with the state's advance proposal, will form the basis for finalising NDRF financial relief. Home Minister Shah, according to Fadnavis, assured maximum Central assistance and stated that the Union government stands firmly behind Maharashtra.
Fadnavis also held discussions with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, clarifying that the drought assessment would go beyond satellite imagery to incorporate rainfall deficits, groundwater levels, crop damage data, and physical inspections. Talukas that do not meet satellite imagery criteria will still be considered if they qualify under other parameters — a significant flexibility that could expand the relief coverage.
Nagpur Airport Expansion Gets Key Clearance
In a separate but consequential meeting, Fadnavis met Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to resolve the land-allocation impasse for the Nagpur Airport new terminal building. The project requires 27 acres of land currently in the possession of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The IAF has indicated a positive stance on transferring the land needed for immediate construction; the remaining portion will follow once construction on the first phase is complete.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari joined the meeting via videoconferencing. The Ministry of Defence agreed to grant permissions for helicopter parking and operational adjustments in the IAF area to facilitate movement of heavy construction machinery, with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to be drafted. Fadnavis described these developments as effectively clearing all major hurdles for the terminal project.
MPSC Protests: Government Accepts Five Demands, Promises Judicial Inquiry
Addressing the ongoing protests by Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC) aspirants, Fadnavis said the state government has taken a positive stance on all five demands submitted by the student delegation. The government has expressed readiness to conduct a judicial inquiry into allegations against the MPSC Chairman; should misconduct be established, action would proceed under Article 317 of the Constitution.
A reform committee headed by V. Radha has been set up to suggest transparency improvements in MPSC examinations after consulting students, professors, alumni, and other stakeholders. Fadnavis, however, expressed disappointment over what he described as the political misuse of the protests rather than a genuine focus on student grievances. He commended the state police for handling the demonstrations with restraint.
Point of View
Airport land, and student protests — which signals how stretched the state government's plate is heading into the rabi season. The NDRF process, however, remains procedurally slow: a Central team visit followed by a report, then a decision, means real money could be weeks away while farmers face immediate distress. The flexibility extended on satellite imagery criteria for drought assessment is the most substantive concession and deserves scrutiny on implementation: broadening eligibility is only meaningful if the survey machinery can process it at speed. On the Nagpur Airport deal, the IAF's positive stance is welcome but the SOP-drafting phase is where such clearances have historically stalled.
NationPress
7 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did CM Devendra Fadnavis meet Home Minister Amit Shah?
Fadnavis met Shah to brief him on severe drought conditions in Maharashtra and to formally request special financial assistance from the Centre under the National Disaster Response Fund. He handed over an advance proposal covering 32 drought-affected districts where nearly 80% of talukas are severely impacted.
When will the Central drought assessment team visit Maharashtra?
A Central fact-finding team will visit various parts of Maharashtra from 8 to 11 October 2026. Its physical inspection report, along with the state's proposal, will determine the quantum of NDRF relief to be released.
What is the current status of the Nagpur Airport expansion?
The project requires 27 acres of IAF-controlled land for a new terminal building. Following CM Fadnavis's meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 7 October 2026, the IAF indicated a positive stance on immediate land transfer, and the Ministry of Defence agreed to grant permissions for construction-related operational adjustments. SOPs are to be drafted.
What has the Maharashtra government agreed to on MPSC protests?
The state government has accepted all five demands of the MPSC student delegation and agreed to a judicial inquiry into allegations against the MPSC Chairman. If misconduct is established, action will be taken under Article 317 of the Constitution. A reform committee headed by V. Radha has also been formed to improve examination transparency.
Will farmers receive immediate relief while Central funds are pending?
Yes. Since NDRF disbursements may take time, CM Fadnavis said the state government is preparing to extend immediate assistance to farmers using its own available resources. Drought relief based on crop damage is already underway in around 20 talukas.
