14 July,2026 09:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule outlined several decisions relating to agriculture, rural infrastructure, tribal welfare and law and order. File Pic
The Maharashtra government has announced that farmers who are forced to re-sow crops due to fake seeds or natural disasters will receive free seeds through the District Planning and Development Committee (DPDC) fund, an official statement said on Tuesday.
Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the decision was taken by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to ensure that affected farmers do not have to bear the financial burden of purchasing seeds for a second time.
Speaking to reporters after the state Cabinet meeting in Mumbai, Bawankule outlined several decisions relating to agriculture, rural infrastructure, tribal welfare and law and order.
According to the minister, complaints have been received from several parts of the state, particularly Amravati, Akola, Nagpur and neighbouring districts, where farmers alleged that fake seeds supplied by vendors failed to germinate, affecting soybean and cotton crops.
He said that farmers whose crops fail to emerge or are destroyed due to natural calamities often face the costly challenge of re-sowing. Under the new decision, Guardian Ministers will use DPDC funds to provide free seeds and financial assistance to eligible farmers in their respective districts.
The state government has also decided to introduce a dedicated digital platform and dashboard to improve access to farm roads across Maharashtra.
The platform will help authorities identify, survey, number and open farm roads while allowing officials to monitor complaints submitted by farmers. The government said the system will be rolled out across the state in the near future.
The Cabinet has approved the development of an international-standard agricultural market at Dapchari in Palghar district.
The proposed market is expected to provide farmers with improved access to national and international buyers, creating greater opportunities for agricultural produce from Maharashtra.
The government has directed Forest Rights Committees to review pending forest rights claims in tribal areas.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has instructed officials to reassess eligible applications and ensure that forest land titles are distributed promptly to eligible tribal beneficiaries.
The state government has also announced financial assistance for the families of those who lost their lives and for devotees seriously injured in the recent Pandharpur Wari accident.
In addition, the government has directed police to take strict action against those responsible for the alleged assault on tourists in Igatpuri.
Bawankule also said appropriate action would be taken after reviewing the incident linked to a tender dispute in Ulhasnagar.
