States » WestPosted at: Sep 29 2026 10:35PM


OBC community to get Govt land

In another crucial meeting of the Cabinet Sub-committee on drought mitigation held on September 29 at Mantralaya in the Chief Secretary's chamber, Bawankule, who is also Chairman of Drought Mitigation Subcommittee, directed banks and credit societies to not send their employees to farmers' homes to recover loans during the drought.
Emphasising that drought relief is the top priority of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, he instructed the entire government machinery, particularly talathis, gram sevaks and agriculture officers, to remain stationed in their respective jurisdictions and ensure that assistance reaches affected farmers without delay.
Bawankule asked Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal to explore whether the Reserve Bank of India could issue a circular suspending loan recovery during the drought. He also directed that district collectors and police officials be instructed to ensure that banks and credit societies do not approach farmers' homes for the recovery of crop loans.
Bawankule said farmers must receive all possible assistance during the drought. He stressed that farmers' signatures must be obtained on every crop-loss assessment report (panchnama) to ensure transparency.
He also called for urgent measures to address fodder and water shortages and regulate water storage in dams and reservoirs. Restrictions on large construction projects, cement road works and other activities that could lead to water wastage were also proposed.
District collectors were instructed to maximise the use of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for drought mitigation.
The meeting reviewed the prevailing water scarcity and drought situation across Maharashtra.
Rural Development Minister Jaykumar Gore, Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, Cooperation Minister Babasaheb Patil, Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan, Environment and Climate Change Minister Pankaja Munde, Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Patil, Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, additional chief secretaries and senior officials from various departments attended the meeting.
When Principal Secretary Vinita Ved Singhal informed the meeting that the drought situation has been established in 265 talukas of the state
under the 'Trigger-1' criteria while 43 talukas qualify under 'Trigger-2', officials were directed to issue the necessary Government Resolutions (GRs) immediately for the 43 talukas and other affected areas without waiting for procedural delays.
On sowing activity, the administration has been instructed to conduct a realistic field survey, which has reached 96 per cent of the targeted area, and submit a final report by October 25.
The sub-committee proposed a 10 per cent water cut in urban areas, with the saved water to be preserved as a buffer for June next year.
It was also decided to accord topmost priority to drinking water and fodder for livestock.The subcommittee decided that initial proposals for fodder camps should be prepared under the chairmanship of the respective district collectors.
A committee comprising the Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Parishad and officials from the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry departments will finalise the proposals. These initiatives will also be monitored at the secretary level.
Additionally, a committee of secretaries from three departments will be constituted by the Chief Secretary to study fodder management measures adopted in other states and formulate a comprehensive fodder management plan suited to Maharashtra.
Minister Bawankule said coordinated action by all departments would be essential to address the drought situation and ensure that farmers, agricultural labourers and livestock receive timely relief.
UNI BHG SS
Tags: #OBC community to get Govt land ...
More News

Maha: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader shot dead in Thane

30 Sep 2026 | 12:19 AM

Mumbai, Sep 29 (UNI) Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar alias Bala was shot dead after unidentified assailants allegedly opened fire at him in the Manormanagar-Ganesh Nagar area of neighbouring Thane city late tonight, police said.

see more..

Nashik Collector forms probe panel to investigate irregularities in onion procurement

30 Sep 2026 | 12:05 AM

Bharat Ghandat
Nashik, Sep 29 (UNI) The Nashik district administration has invited complaints from onion farmers, farmer producer organisations, traders and other stakeholders regarding alleged irregularities and mismanagement in the onion procurement process for the 2026–27 season.
The Maharashtra government’s Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection has constituted an inquiry committee under the chairmanship of Nashik District Collector Ayush Prasad through a government resolution dated September 29, 2026.

see more..

Ahilyanagar: Gang promising to double money through ‘cash rain’ busted

29 Sep 2026 | 11:08 PM

Ahilyanagar, Sep 29 (UNI) The Local Crime Branch (LCB) of Ahilyanagar police has busted a gang allegedly involved in circulating counterfeit Indian currency by promising people to double their money through a so-called ‘cash rain’ scheme.

see more..

Gandhi Week to be held in Pune from October 1 to 7

29 Sep 2026 | 10:39 PM

Pune, Sep 29 (UNI) The Maharashtra Gandhi Memorial Fund and Yuvak Kranti Dal will jointly organise a week-long programme on Mahatma Gandhi at Gandhi Bhavan, Kothrud, from October 1 to 7.

see more..

OBC community to get Govt land

29 Sep 2026 | 10:35 PM

In another crucial meeting of the Cabinet Sub-committee on drought mitigation held on September 29 at Mantralaya in the Chief Secretary's chamber, Bawankule, who is also Chairman of Drought Mitigation Subcommittee, directed banks and credit societies to not send their employees to farmers' homes to recover loans during the drought.

see more..