Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has formed a Cabinet Sub-Committee with full cabinet powers to coordinate relief for drought-like conditions in parts of the state, as crop damage assessments begin and authorities prepare to prioritise drinking water and livestock fodder supplies.
Fadnavis announced the decision on September 22 after chairing the weekly cabinet meeting. According to an account by IANS published by Mid-Day, the committee will be chaired by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and will oversee measures based on rainfall data, reservoir levels and the agricultural situation across Maharashtra.
The Chief Minister said the state government would provide immediate assistance to affected farmers without waiting for financial aid from the Central Government. He also said that a preliminary notification declaring drought-like conditions would be officially released by Saturday.
The committee’s full cabinet powers are intended to allow faster decisions on relief packages and other response measures. Its membership includes ministers handling water resources and disaster management, water supply and sanitation, soil and water conservation, animal husbandry, agriculture, rural development, transport, cooperation, and relief and rehabilitation. Chief Secretary Rajesh Agarwal is also part of the panel.
The government has directed officials to begin formal crop damage assessments, known as panchnamas, across the state from September 23. The preliminary review cited damage to soybean, maize and cotton, while paddy fields in the Konkan region have also been reported to be severely affected.
The response covers both agricultural losses and basic service requirements. Fadnavis said priority allocation for drinking water and fodder would begin immediately, with supplies to be coordinated through municipal corporations, municipal councils and other local self-government bodies. The government expects these arrangements to remain a focus over the next seven to eight months.
The Chief Minister also said Maharashtra would submit a formal proposal to the Central Government seeking relief funds under National Disaster Response Fund norms. The state, however, plans to begin assistance and essential supply arrangements before receiving that financial support.
Fadnavis is scheduled to inspect affected regions beginning September 23 and has directed ministers and elected representatives to visit the ground and assess the situation. Ministerial tours and field data collection are expected to inform the committee’s decisions on relief and crop damage.
The announcement places the state administration’s next steps around three linked tasks: establishing the extent of agricultural damage, identifying locations facing drinking water and fodder stress, and preparing the documentation required for central assistance. The preliminary notification and statewide assessments will determine how the drought-like situation is formally recorded and how relief measures are structured.
