Sunetra Pawar visits drought-hit Nanded, vows direct relief for Maharashtra farmers
Synopsis
With Marathwada's fields parched and farmers under mounting financial stress, Maharashtra Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar landed in Nanded's Sonkhed village to deliver a direct assurance: relief funds straight to bank accounts, livestock care, and a Cabinet-level follow-up. The visit is politically significant — opposition leaders Sharad Pawar and Aaditya Thackeray are simultaneously touring the same drought zones, signalling that Maharashtra's agrarian crisis has become a high-stakes political contest.
Key Takeaways
Maharashtra Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar visited drought-affected farmers in Sonkhed village, Nanded district on 26 September 2026 .
Formal crop-loss assessments ( Panchnamas ) are underway; relief funds will be credited directly to farmers' bank accounts by loan category.
State relief extends beyond crop damage — fodder, water supply for livestock , and children's education support are priority areas.
Cabinet-level discussions will follow the field inspection to formalise relief packages and structural measures.
Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP) is leading a march in Solapur to demand drought declaration, while Aaditya Thackeray tours Dharashiv, Solapur, and Nanded on the same day.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President Sunetra Pawar on Saturday, 26 September visited drought-affected farmers in Sonkhed village, Nanded district, assuring them that the state government is closely monitoring crop damage and will leave no farmer without support. The field visit comes amid worsening agrarian distress across Marathwada, driven by scanty rainfall, severe crop yield declines, and mounting financial pressure on rural households.
On-Ground Inspections Underway
Inspecting visibly dry and damaged fields, Deputy Chief Minister Pawar emphasised that government officials are conducting direct ground surveys rather than relying solely on administrative data. She confirmed that Panchnamas — formal on-site crop-loss assessments — are actively underway across affected villages to evaluate actual field conditions and expedite the finalisation of relief reports.
'Funds will be directly credited into farmers' bank accounts based on the specific type or category of loan they hold,' she stated, confirming that loan waiver processes are being routed through banking channels rather than intermediaries.
Livestock, Education Among Priority Areas
Beyond crop damage compensation, Pawar outlined a broader relief framework that addresses compounding distress. She assured farmers that fodder and water supply for livestock would receive special attention, and that the state is also focusing on easing education-related financial burdens for farmers' children — an acknowledgement that agrarian crises cascade beyond the field.
'We will not abandon a single farmer to uncertainty. Ensuring quality education for your children, securing fodder for livestock, and supporting family livelihoods remain top-tier priorities for this administration,' she said.
Water Infrastructure Demands Raised
Local farmers took the opportunity to present urgent demands regarding regional water infrastructure, urging authorities to fill nearby lakes and water storage facilities to mitigate the drought's severity. Pawar assured the gathering that the government stands firmly with them and that comprehensive relief announcements will follow once field reports are formally submitted.
Invoking her own roots, she said: 'I am a daughter of Marathwada. I intimately understand the pain and hardship of our farming community.'
Cabinet-Level Follow-Up Promised
Following her firsthand inspection, Deputy Chief Minister Pawar confirmed that state Cabinet-level discussions will be initiated to roll out formal relief packages and structural measures. District administrative officials, she added, will be instructed immediately to conduct thorough situational audits and deliver swift executive action.
Opposition Also Mobilises
The visit comes as political activity around the agrarian crisis intensifies across Maharashtra. Former Union Agriculture Minister and NCP (SP) President Sharad Pawar is set to lead a march in Solapur district to press the state government into declaring drought and releasing immediate relief. Separately, Aaditya Thackeray is touring Dharashiv, Solapur, and Nanded on the same day to interact with affected farming communities. The convergence of ruling and opposition figures in drought zones underscores the scale of the crisis and the political stakes surrounding Maharashtra's agrarian sector ahead of the upcoming period.
Point of View
The ruling NCP cannot afford to be seen as absent from ground zero. The assurance of direct bank transfers and Panchnama-based assessments sounds credible in design, but Maharashtra has a long history of relief announcements that dissolve in bureaucratic delay. The real measure will be how quickly Panchnama reports are finalised and whether Cabinet follow-through produces disbursements before the next sowing season. Marathwada's agrarian distress is structural, not seasonal, and one field visit — however symbolically important — will not move that needle.
NationPress
26 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Maharashtra Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar announce for drought-hit farmers in Nanded?
Sunetra Pawar assured farmers in Sonkhed village, Nanded that the state government will credit loan waiver funds directly into their bank accounts based on loan category, conduct Panchnama-based crop assessments, and initiate Cabinet-level discussions for comprehensive relief packages. She also promised state support for livestock fodder, water supply, and children's education.
What is a Panchnama and why does it matter for drought relief?
A Panchnama is a formal on-site survey conducted by government officials to document and certify actual crop losses in the field. It is the basis on which farmers' compensation and relief funds are calculated and disbursed, making its timely completion critical to ensuring aid reaches affected families quickly.
Which areas of Maharashtra are currently facing drought-like conditions?
The worst-affected areas are concentrated in the Marathwada region, with Nanded, Solapur, and Dharashiv districts prominently reporting severe crop damage due to scanty rainfall. Multiple political leaders from both the ruling alliance and the opposition were conducting field visits across these districts on 26 September 2026.
What is the opposition doing about Maharashtra's agrarian crisis?
NCP (SP) President Sharad Pawar is leading a march in Solapur district to demand that the state government formally declare drought and release immediate relief. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray is simultaneously touring Dharashiv, Solapur, and Nanded to interact with affected farmers and add political pressure on the ruling administration.
When will Maharashtra farmers receive the promised drought relief?
According to Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar, comprehensive relief announcements will follow once field Panchnama reports are formally submitted by district officials. She confirmed Cabinet-level follow-up discussions will be initiated after her field inspection, though no specific disbursal date has been announced yet.
