08 July,2026 03:21 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Pic/AFP
The Maharashtra Assembly will hold a short-duration discussion on the state's rain situation on Thursday after Opposition members raised concerns over the delay in taking up the issue, Speaker Rahul Narwekar said.
The announcement came after Opposition legislators protested in the Assembly on Wednesday, stating that the rain situation was one of the most urgent matters before the House and required immediate attention.
Opposition members questioned why their notice seeking a discussion on rainfall-related concerns had not been admitted even as the Assembly continued with other debates.
Raising the matter during the session, Opposition leaders sought clarification from the Chair and said that delaying the discussion would reduce its relevance.
They argued that if the matter was not taken up during the ongoing session, it would defeat the purpose of highlighting the difficulties being faced across Maharashtra due to uneven rainfall.
Responding to the concerns, Speaker Narwekar said proposals for the discussion were submitted by members on Tuesday. However, they were received after the "order of the day" for Wednesday's proceedings had already been finalised.
"The discussion will be held tomorrow," Narwekar said, while asking members to continue with the scheduled business of the House.
Opposition members maintained that the situation across parts of the state remained serious and required urgent government attention.
Leaders including Jayant Patil of the NCP (SP) and Congress leader Nana Patole said several regions continued to face rainfall shortages despite the ongoing monsoon season.
They claimed that rainfall remained deficient in 134 talukas, forcing many farmers to undertake resowing. The leaders also said several farmers were struggling financially and lacked the resources required for additional sowing activities.
Calling the matter important, Narwekar assured members that the Assembly would discuss the rain situation on Thursday.
He also said the House should consider holding a wider discussion on climate and environmental changes, describing them as major factors behind changing and unpredictable weather patterns.
The Speaker appealed to legislators to maintain the seriousness of the discussion and focus on issues directly linked to drought, deficient rainfall and heavy rainfall.
Narwekar urged members to avoid bringing unrelated matters into the debate so that the Assembly could have a meaningful discussion on the challenges faced by citizens and farmers due to changing rainfall patterns across Maharashtra.
(With inputs from PTI)
