Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday, 18 September assured farmers across drought-affected districts of Maharashtra that the government will not abandon them, pledging full state support amid severe crop damage caused by prolonged dry spells. Shinde made the remarks while visiting his native village Dare in Satara district for the Ganeshotsav festival, where he also reviewed the state's overall rainfall situation.

Ground Reality: Crops Scorched in Vidarbha and Marathwada

Shinde acknowledged that dry spells have severely damaged standing crops in parts of Vidarbha and Marathwada. Crop loss assessments — known as panchnamas — are currently underway to determine the extent of damage and ensure that relief aid is distributed based on verified, actual losses rather than estimates.

He held a video conference with Osmanabad (Dharashiv) Guardian Minister Pratap Sarnaik, Member of Parliament Omraje Nimbalkar, and the district collector to review the evolving crisis. District guardian ministers are reportedly touring affected areas, and Shinde confirmed he will personally inspect drought-hit zones in the near future to engage directly with the farming community.

Pawar's Demand for Drought Declaration Adds Political Pressure

The Deputy Chief Minister's visit and remarks come in direct response to growing political pressure from the opposition. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar wrote a detailed letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, highlighting the state's agrarian crisis and demanding immediate intervention on nine key points. Pawar uploaded the letter on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, calling on the government to formally declare a drought and release immediate relief.

In his letter, Pawar noted: 'Due to the failure of rains across most parts of the state this year, the farming community is facing a massive crisis. Standing crops such as soybean, cotton, pearl millet (bajra), maize, pigeon pea (tur), green gram (moong), and black gram (udid) have withered, compounded by increased pest infestations. Consequently, the situation regarding agriculture, drinking water, and fodder supply is set to worsen.'

Pawar's letter follows Chief Minister Fadnavis's recent pledge to make Marathwada drought-free, made on the occasion of Marathwada Liberation Day — an aspiration that critics argue is being tested by this season's deficient monsoon.

Shinde Dismisses Critics, Highlights Farm Experiments

Dismissing opposition criticism of his frequent visits to his home village, Delhi, or London, Shinde responded with characteristic sharpness. 'Whenever I visit my home village, political rivals suffer from stomach aches. I will now have to look for a medicinal plant or prescribe Jamalgota (a traditional laxative) to cure their indigestion. I am a man of action and will answer criticism through my work, not words,' he said.

Shinde also used the occasion to mark World Bamboo Day at his farm in Dare, where he has experimented with cultivating imported crops including blueberries, along with camphor and asafoetida (hing). He highlighted bamboo's versatile applications in producing ethanol, modern infrastructure, and commercial goods, urging large-scale bamboo cultivation alongside environmental conservation during the festive season.

What Happens Next

The completion of panchnamas will be critical in determining relief disbursement timelines. With Pawar demanding a formal drought declaration and Mahayuti government officials insisting work is already underway, the agrarian crisis in Marathwada and Vidarbha is set to remain a politically charged issue ahead of upcoming legislative sessions. Farmers growing water-intensive crops such as soybean and cotton face the steepest losses if rains continue to remain deficient.