India, Sept. 29 -- Preliminary estimates suggest that Maharashtra's new 12-measure drought relief plan, announced by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday, will cost over Rs.45,000 crore. The substantial outlay will severely strain an already cash-strapped state exchequer, with drought now gripping 74% of the state's tehsils (265 out of 358).

"Of this, a major chunk of around Rs.30,000 crore is expected to be allocated as compensation for crop losses. The compensation will be given in three categories - Rs.8,500 per hectare for losses in rainfed areas, Rs.17,000 per hectare for assured irrigated areas and Rs.22,500 per hectare for perennial crops (once the affected areas are mapped)," said an official from the relief and rehabilit...