India, Oct. 9 -- An 11-member team of officials from various central ministries will on Thursday begin a tour to assess the drought situation in Maharashtra. Its report will be crucial in the union government's decision on the quantum of financial assistance to be given to the state.

Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday met union home minister Amit Shah and requested him for interim financial assistance of Rs.17,500 crore. "The central team will conduct ground inspections and verify the situation," he said after the meeting. "Its report will be submitted to the National Disaster Response Force, which will consider the findings along with the state government's proposal before deciding on assistance."

Muktanand Agrawal, joint se...