Centre releases Rs 50 crore to Maharashtra for drought relief

Amid signs of drought in Maharashtra, the central government has given the state major relief. For drought mitigation, the Centre has released a first instalment of Rs 50 crore to the state. The amount has been given under the National Disaster Relief Fund, and the state government has approved spending it through the Agriculture Commissionerate, Pune. A government resolution in this regard was issued on September 10.

The National Disaster Management Authority has selected five districts for this drought mitigation programme -- Ahilyanagar, Nashik, Dhule, Satara and Latur. Two talukas from each district, that is 10 villages across 10 talukas in all, have been included in this pilot project.

The state government had given administrative approval in December 2025 to a plan worth Rs 174.10 crore for this entire project. Of this, the central government's share is Rs 100 crore, the state government's share is Rs 11 crore, while Rs 63.10 crore will be raised through convergence of various government schemes. Of the Centre's Rs 100 crore share, Rs 50 crore has been received by the Relief and Rehabilitation Department in the first phase.

Strict monitoring of the spending of this fund has been arranged. The Agriculture Commissioner has been appointed as the controlling officer, while the Deputy Director, Accounts-1, has been made the drawing and disbursing officer. The fund must be used strictly as per the Centre's guidelines. Besides this, accounts of expenditure, audit reports and utilisation certificates will also have to be submitted. Instructions have also been given to submit a report on the physical and financial progress of the project every month.

Overall, the entire plan is worth Rs 174.10 crore, of which the Centre's share is Rs 100 crore, Rs 63.10 crore is to come through various government schemes, and the state's share is Rs 11 crore.