India, Sept. 28 -- A day after the Maharashtra government declared drought in 265 of its 358 talukas, NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday wrote to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis seeking a 17-point relief package for drought-affected farmers, agricultural labourers and rural residents.

Pawar sought an immediate waiver of agricultural and allied-activity loans taken from cooperative banks, nationalised banks, urban cooperative banks and credit societies, including loans taken after the deadline set under the state's farm loan waiver scheme. He also demanded exemption from land revenue and agricultural electricity bills for affected farmers.

Among his other demands are 25 kg of free foodgrains per family, direct financial assistance to...