India, Oct. 8 -- Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday met union home minister Amit Shah and union agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and discussed the severe drought situation in the state, seeking immediate assistance from the central government.

The chief minister raised concerns over the shortage of drinking water and fodder in 80% of Maharashtra's 358 talukas and submitted an interim proposal to the home minister, seeking a Rs.17,500-crore package towards compensation for crop losses and arrangement of fodder under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

"The home minister has responded positively and assured that the Centre would provide maximum possible assistance," Fadnavis said.

On September 26, the state g...