India, Oct. 15 -- The state government on Wednesday added 39 talukas to its list of 265 affected by drought, raising the total number to 304 - this means 84% of the state is now drought-hit. The state will also advance Rs.5,000 to each farmer before Diwali to bring them relief in the festive season.

Driven by push from prominent leaders, the state cabinet expanded the list to include several places they belong to. The additions feature strongholds of Shiv Sena ministers Shambhuraj Desai (Patan) and Yogesh Kadam (Khed), NCP's Dilip Walse-Patil (Ambegaon), and BJP's Sudhir Mungantiwar (Ballarpur). It also includes areas represented by opposition leaders, namely Congress's Vijay Wadettiwar (Bramhapuri) and Vishwajeet Kadam (Palus), alongsid...