States » WestPosted at: Sep 28 2026 8:26PM


11 Maha Departments placed on emergency footing, staff leave cancelled: Minister

Hingoli, Sep 28 (UNI) Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Monday said the state government has cancelled the leave of employees from 11 crucial departments and directed officials to remain stationed at their headquarters to tackle the escalating drought situation across the state.
Speaking during a visit to Arati village in Hingoli district to review the prevailing conditions, Bawankule said the government is taking steps to strengthen administrative preparedness and ensure speedy implementation of relief measures in affected areas.
He said assistance to farmers would be determined after crop-loss assessment reports from all affected districts are compiled. The government will examine relief available under crop insurance schemes as well as National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) norms and extend whichever benefit is permissible and more favourable under existing provisions.
Bawankule cautioned against announcing compensation before a comprehensive assessment is completed, saying such a move could leave out some eligible farmers.
The decision follows a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who instructed the administration to intensify drought-relief efforts and ensure effective execution of mitigation programmes across the state.
Officials from departments such as Revenue, Agriculture, Water Resources, Rural Development, Animal Husbandry and other allied agencies have been asked to remain available for duty and respond promptly to issues arising from the crisis.
District administrations have also been directed to closely track the situation and regularly submit status reports to the state government.
Maharashtra is witnessing a substantial rainfall deficit this monsoon, with several districts reporting acute moisture stress and extensive damage to standing crops.
The government has already begun crop-loss surveys and field inspections to facilitate timely assistance to affected farmers.
According to official estimates, nearly 75 per cent of the state is facing drought-like conditions, with soybean among the crops most severely impacted.
On Saturday, the state government declared drought in 265 of Maharashtra's 358 talukas and announced a series of relief measures, including restructuring of crop loans, concessions in land revenue and subsidies on electricity bills.
UNI PK CDS
Tags: #11 Maha Departments placed on emergency footing# staff leave cancelled: Minister
More News

Yashomati Thakur lodges police complaint over drone spotted near Amravati Home, capturing images

28 Sep 2026 | 10:27 PM

Amravati, Sep 28 (UNI) Congress leader and former Maharashtra minister Yashomati Thakur on Monday claimed that a drone was seen flying over her residence in Amravati and allegedly captured images, prompting her to lodge a complaint with the police.

see more..

Kolhapur: Man killed, wife seriously injured in accident

28 Sep 2026 | 10:12 PM

Kolhapur, Sep 28 (UNI) A man was killed on the spot while his wife was seriously injured when a speeding car hit their motorcycle, on the Vadgaon-Hatkanangale road at Vadgaon in Hatkanangale tehsil of this district today.
According to Vadgaon police, Deepak Ravsaheb Shinde, a resident of Miraj town in Sangli district, was returning home with his wife Aashadevi after meeting a relative when a speeding car rammed their bike after the car driver lost control on the wheel.

see more..

Restructuring Public Finances: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Demands 6-Month Fiscal Overhaul in Maharashtra

28 Sep 2026 | 10:06 PM

Mumbai, Sept 28 (UNI) Laying down a strict deadline for complete systemic transformation, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has demanded an aggressive, action-oriented strategy within the next six months to plug financial leakages, eliminate high-interest borrowing discrepancies, and optimize public resource allocation.

see more..

140 fall ill after eating bhel-bhat at Malegaon weekly market; Minister Dada Bhuse visits hospital

28 Sep 2026 | 9:29 PM

Nashik, Sep 28 (UNI) More than 140 people, including a large number of children, reportedly suffered from food poisoning after consuming bhel-bhat purchased from a local vendor at the weekly market in Nandgaon Budruk village of Malegaon taluka.

see more..

11 Maha Departments placed on emergency footing, staff leave cancelled: Minister

28 Sep 2026 | 8:26 PM

Hingoli, Sep 28 (UNI) Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Monday said the state government has cancelled the leave of employees from 11 crucial departments and directed officials to remain stationed at their headquarters to tackle the escalating drought situation across the state.

see more..