Maharashtra revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has directed district collectors to submit drought mitigation proposals within 15 days, as the state moves to revive stalled water supply schemes, strengthen local water sources and prepare for possible shortages across 305 talukas.
Bawankule issued the instructions while chairing a meeting of the cabinet subcommittee on drought. The district-wise proposals will be submitted to the chief minister. He said drinking water tankers should remain a last resort and that existing water supply schemes must be made operational before shortages worsen.
The revenue minister asked districts to use 15th Finance Commission funds to clear pending electricity bills linked to water supply schemes. Districts unable to do so were told to explore a one-time settlement scheme. The energy department was also asked to provide transformers to schemes stalled because of their absence, with priority for projects that had previously been operational.
The measures include taking available wells over for public use, completing water supply schemes that are 75% to 80% complete, repairing defunct hand pumps and strengthening existing water sources. Bawankule directed officials to ensure that a tanker application and GPS tracking system are operational before tanker supplies begin, allowing authorities to monitor distribution.
The meeting also focused on fodder availability. Bawankule said the current assessment did not indicate a need for cattle camps until December, but districts must identify areas that could face fodder shortages. Farmers are to be encouraged to grow short-duration fodder crops, with rates and district-wise production targets based on estimated demand.
District collectors will lead committees overseeing fodder planning. The agriculture department will implement the measures, while the animal husbandry department will monitor them. The agriculture, animal husbandry and rural development departments, along with other agencies, have been instructed to prepare a standard operating procedure within a week covering fodder cultivation through distribution.
The state also plans to move surplus fodder between districts. Officials are examining fodder cultivation on forest department land and silted land near water bodies, while self-help groups could be allotted land for production. Agriculture officers have been asked to collect village-level information on water and fodder availability. Fisheries and ports minister Nitesh Rane proposed supplying surplus paddy and fodder from Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri and Raigad to neighbouring districts facing shortages.
For water conservation, officials were asked to identify water bodies near ongoing road projects so excavated murum, or hard soil, could be used in road construction. Desilting and repairs of lakes and reservoirs will be prioritised, with assistance from the fisheries department. Funds for drought-related works are expected to be released through district planning committees.
Additional chief secretary for relief and rehabilitation Vinita Ved Singhal said agricultural damage assessments would be completed in the coming days. This would allow the state government to submit its final proposal for central drought assistance by the end of October. A survey covering 305 talukas is also under way to determine which trigger-1 and trigger-2 drought criteria apply.
