22 September,2026 02:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis. File Pic
The Cabinet on Tuesday approved the formation of a Cabinet sub-committee to oversee Maharashtra drought relief measures across the state, with the Revenue Minister as its chairperson.
The committee has been given full powers to take decisions as required from time to time. A preliminary notification is expected to be issued by Saturday, while ministers will visit affected areas to assess the situation on the ground.
The move is aimed at speeding up the delivery of relief to farmers.
The Cabinet approved the allotment of developed plots on an ownership basis to project-affected farmers from Moghara Pada, whose land was acquired for the integrated car shed depot for Mumbai Metro Lines 4, 4A and 10.
Farmers from Survey No. 30 in Moghara Pada will be eligible for developed plots equivalent to 22.5 per cent and 12.5 per cent of their applicable land entitlement.
The Cabinet approved the cluster redevelopment of old and dilapidated MHADA buildings in Ramakrishna Nagar, Khar West.
The redevelopment is aimed at providing residents with better-quality infrastructure and replacing the ageing buildings in the area.
The Cabinet approved the cancellation of reservations for a playground and garden on Survey No. 103 at Devpur in Dhule taluka, within the Dhule Municipal Corporation limits.
The land will now be included in the public-semi-public zone under the city's approved development plan.
The Cabinet cancelled the Agriculture Department's revised staffing structure and decided to temporarily retain the structure approved in 2009.
A fresh proposal will be prepared after a comprehensive review of the department's workload, available manpower, vacant posts, cadre-wise requirements and field-level staffing needs.
The review will also consider the workload arising from farmer-centric schemes and the department's future administrative requirements.
Meanwhile, NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar last week urged CM Fadnavis to declare drought in the state and provide immediate assistance to farmers facing crop losses, drinking water shortages and fodder scarcity amid deficient monsoon rainfall.
Pawar raised the issue with the state chief minister through a letter uploaded on X, outlining nine key demands. His communication came shortly after Fadnavis reiterated the state government's resolve to make Marathwada drought-free.
"Due to the failure of rains across most parts of the state this year, the farming community is facing a massive crisis. Standing crops such as soybean, cotton, pearl millet (bajra), maize, pigeon pea (tur), green gram (moong), and black gram (urad) have withered away, compounded by an increase in pest infestations. Consequently, the situation regarding agriculture, drinking water, and fodder supply is set to worsen," he warned.
