Economy

Maharashtra declares 265 talukas drought-affected and announces relief measures

• 265 of Maharashtra’s 358 talukas, or 74% of the state, were declared drought-affected
• Relief includes crop-loan restructuring, land-revenue concessions and postponed recovery of agriculture loans
• Drought and relief measures expose Maharashtra-focused lenders, farm-input firms and power distributors

Major impact on kharif crops seen from monsoon deficit, uneven rainfall

Mint Explainer | Why a super-charged El Niño is a postcard from our future

• This year’s El Niño could bring temperatures climate change is projected to deliver 20 years from now
• More severe heat risks could affect Indian agriculture, power demand and inflation