2 hrs ago
Maharashtra Forms Drought Panel as Officials Promise Field Relief
Maharashtra has had a long period without enough rain.
This has damaged crops such as soybean, cotton and some paddy.
The government will begin visiting fields on Wednesday to measure the damage.
These field checks are called panchnamas.
Officials say they will first focus on drinking water and food for farm animals.
A special group of ministers will supervise the drought response.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said ministers and lawmakers would visit affected farmers.
The government says it will follow national relief rules but will not wait to begin helping.
Congress leader Harshvardhan Sapkal says the government has not done enough for farmers.
Maharashtra ordered field-level crop-loss assessments, known as panchnamas, to begin on Wednesday.
Soybean and cotton are among the worst-affected crops, while paddy in parts of Konkan has also suffered.
The government’s immediate priorities are drinking water and fodder for livestock.
A Drought Relief Cabinet Sub-Committee headed by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule will coordinate relief efforts.
Opposition Congress leader Harshvardhan Sapkal accused the government of inadequate farmer assistance and criticised its electoral-roll revision decision.
- Who
- The Maharashtra government, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with ministers, MLAs and a cabinet sub-committee, is responding to crop losses; Congress leader Harshvardhan Sapkal criticised the response.
- What
- The state ordered crop-damage assessments and formed a Drought Relief Cabinet Sub-Committee to oversee relief measures.
- Where
- Affected areas across Maharashtra, particularly Marathwada and parts of Konkan.
- When
- The order was announced on September 22, 2026, with field assessments scheduled to begin Wednesday.
- Why
- A prolonged dry spell has damaged kharif crops and increased demands for farmer compensation, drinking water and drought relief.
Government response
Congress criticism
Adequacy and timing of relief
Government response
The government says it is beginning crop assessments, prioritising water and livestock fodder, and will not wait for the entire formal process before responding.
Congress criticism
Harshvardhan Sapkal alleges that farmers are being left without adequate assistance and is pressing for stronger relief action.
Drought declaration and farmer assistance
Government response
The government is focusing first on measuring crop losses and coordinating relief under National Disaster Response Fund norms.
Congress criticism
Farmers’ organisations and opposition parties are demanding financial assistance and a formal drought declaration.
Electoral-roll revision
Government response
The government is proceeding with the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and has not extended its deadline.
Congress criticism
Sapkal criticised the decision, arguing that population changes could eventually affect budgetary allocations.
Key facts
- Assessment start
- Field-level panchnamas are scheduled to begin Wednesday.
- Worst-affected crops
- Soybean and cotton; paddy in parts of Konkan has also been affected.
- Worst-affected region
- Marathwada has emerged as one of the hardest-hit areas.
- Immediate priorities
- Drinking water and fodder for livestock.
- Committee chair
- Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule.
- Committee secretary
- Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal.
- Relief framework
- Procedures must follow National Disaster Response Fund norms, but the state says it will begin responding before the full formal process is completed.
Sources
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