14 September,2026 07:57 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule. File pic
Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Monday said 18 districts in the state were facing drought-like conditions due to inadequate rainfall, with a report on the situation set to be presented before the state Cabinet on Tuesday.
The minister expressed hope that the situation across Maharashtra would improve with more rain over the next eight to 10 days, news agency PTI reported.
"Today, the data of 18 districts has come to me. This data will be presented before the cabinet tomorrow. We have identified 18 districts where the situation is particularly bad and I have received the report," Bawankule told reporters.
He said the state government had ordered a survey across Maharashtra to assess the situation, with district collectors preparing reports. In districts that have received good rainfall recently, the government has ordered fresh surveys to reassess the situation, Bawankule added.
The minister said nearly half of Maharashtra's farmers were currently facing a drought-like situation due to inadequate rainfall.
"Some rain had occurred on Sunday. The arrival of Lord Ganesha would bring more rainfall, helping ease water scarcity and the drought-like conditions in the state," Bawankule said.
He said he expected the deficient rainfall to be made up over the next eight to 10 days and the drought-like situation to recede.
Bawankule also appealed to all political parties and individuals not to hold protests during the 12-day Ganesh festival, an apparent reference to the Maratha quota agitation led by Manoj Jarange.
Jarange has announced that he will proceed to Mumbai to begin an indefinite hunger strike at Azad Maidan from September 19. The Ganesh festival, which began on Monday, will continue until Anant Chaturdashi on September 25.
"These days are not for any agitation in the state," Bawankule said, urging everyone to maintain unity and ensure that no incident or action tarnishes Maharashtra, society or any individual during the festive period.
He said the government wanted the 10-day festival to bring happiness, enthusiasm and a sense of unity, while encouraging people to make resolutions for their health and Maharashtra's development.
Bawankule said the Devendra Fadnavis government had taken 107 Cabinet decisions related to the revenue department during its tenure, aimed at protecting the property and rights of farmers, agricultural labourers and citizens.
He stated that the revenue department, from talathis to district collectors, had worked to protect people's property and ensure their rights remained intact.
The government will soon introduce two-three important laws, including a Land Titling Act, which Bawankule claimed was in force in 80 countries but had not been adopted by any other state in India.
Under the proposed legislation, citizens would get definitive property cards, he said.
While 7/12 extracts, registration documents or deeds currently establish ownership records, the government wants to provide people with a more certain title to their property, Bawankule stated.
He also announced a proposed law based on the principle of "first measurement, then registration".
"Under this, property cannot be registered without prior measurement. It would help prevent disputes over property boundaries and ownership," the minister said.
Bawankule stated that the government's flagship 'Mukhyamantri Baliraja Shet Raste Yojana' would seek to provide farmers with roads to their agricultural fields over the next five years.
The government will take responsibility for carrying out the work, he added.
(With PTI inputs)
