WATER FOR PEOPLE, NOT JUST PROJECTS: NCP (SP) DEMANDS BUILDERS’ SUPPLY CUTS AND URGENT RELIEF FOR DROUGHT-STRICKEN MAHARASHTRA FARMERS

October 25, 2026

MUMBAI, October 25, 2026 — With drought declared across 305 of Maharashtra’s 358 talukas, the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) has demanded that drinking water and agriculture receive priority over construction projects, alongside substantially higher financial assistance for distressed farmers.

The demands followed a review meeting chaired by NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre in Mumbai on Sunday. Party MPs, legislators and other leaders assessed the drought situation, discussed additional relief measures and considered preparations for the difficulties expected in the coming months.

The scale of the crisis is reflected in the state government’s decision to declare drought in approximately 85 per cent of Maharashtra’s talukas. With agricultural livelihoods under pressure and water availability a growing concern, the Opposition party has called for immediate intervention to protect rural households and ensure that essential supplies reach those most affected.

NCP (SP) leaders Jitendra Awhad and Shashikant Shinde accused the state government of failing to follow established rules governing water allocation. They alleged that decisions on releasing water from dams were being influenced by political pressure rather than being made according to the prescribed priorities.

Awhad demanded that water supplies to construction projects in Mumbai and Thane be stopped, arguing that the requirements of residents and farmers must take precedence over commercial construction. He questioned whether builders’ financial losses from a temporary suspension of supplies could justify leaving ordinary people struggling to obtain sufficient water for their daily needs.

His demand placed the allocation of scarce water at the centre of the political dispute. As drought conditions spread across the state, the party argued that the authorities should reassess how available supplies are distributed and ensure that the needs of households and agriculture are not subordinated to construction activity.

Shinde similarly called for water distribution to follow established rules, with drinking water given priority. He warned that inadequate planning and wastage could aggravate the crisis and said the state government would be responsible if water resources were not managed properly.

The party also demanded a substantial increase in financial assistance for farmers. Shinde described the government’s announced assistance of ₹5,000 per farmer as inadequate and called for the amount to be raised to at least ₹25,000, with payments made before Diwali.

For cultivators facing drought-related losses, the timing and adequacy of financial relief are central concerns. Assistance delivered promptly can help households meet immediate expenses, while delays can leave farmers struggling to manage agricultural costs and other essential needs during an already difficult period.

The NCP (SP) further called for cattle camps to provide fodder and care for livestock. The demand reflects concern that the consequences of drought extend beyond standing crops to animals that depend on adequate water and feed. Without appropriate arrangements, livestock owners can face additional expenses and the risk of losing a critical source of livelihood.

Another concern raised by Shinde was the reported recovery of small loans by microfinance companies and other lenders despite state advisories against forced recovery during the drought. He urged the authorities to take strict action against lenders harassing farmers, arguing that indebted households should not face additional pressure while dealing with the effects of water scarcity and agricultural distress.

The demands come amid wider questions about how Maharashtra should balance competing requirements for its limited water resources. Urban households need dependable drinking-water supplies, farmers depend on irrigation and livestock require water and fodder, while construction projects also consume significant quantities. The NCP (SP) has argued that the present drought requires a clear hierarchy in which essential human needs and agriculture take precedence.

The dispute also raises questions about the enforcement of water-allocation rules and the transparency of decisions concerning dam releases. Awhad and Shinde alleged that established procedures were being bypassed, making it necessary for the government to explain how supplies were being allocated and what safeguards were in place to protect drinking water and agricultural requirements.

Beyond the immediate demands, the review meeting reflected the party’s concern about the months ahead. Drought conditions can create interconnected pressures involving crop losses, livestock maintenance, household water access and outstanding debts. Addressing one problem without considering the others may leave vulnerable families exposed to continuing hardship.

The NCP (SP) has therefore pressed for a combination of measures: restrictions on construction-related water use, higher direct financial assistance, cattle camps and action against lenders pursuing forced recoveries. The party wants these interventions to be implemented urgently rather than leaving affected farmers to await relief while the crisis deepens.

The state government’s response will determine how quickly these demands translate into practical assistance. The immediate questions concern the distribution of available water, the amount and timing of financial relief, and the protection of farmers facing debt-related pressure.

For Maharashtra’s drought-affected communities, the crisis is not merely a question of reservoir levels or administrative planning. It concerns access to drinking water, the survival of crops and livestock, and the financial capacity of rural households to withstand another difficult season. The Opposition’s central demand is that the government place these immediate human needs at the forefront of its response.