Maharashtra Extends Deadline for e-Pik Pahani to March 31, 2026
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Mumbai, March 17 (NationPress) Maharashtra's Revenue Minister, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, declared in the Legislative Assembly that the deadline for 'e‑Pik Pahani' (electronic crop inspection) pertaining to the Rabi season of 2025–26 has been extended to 31 March 2026.
He noted that the registration process for e‑Pik Pahani at the assistant level commenced on 25 January 2026, yet only 55.69% of Rabi crop registrations have been completed thus far, leaving nearly 45% of farmers outside this critical process.
The government has taken this step to guarantee full registration as e‑Pik Pahani is vital for accessing various government schemes, including crop insurance.
Bawankule informed the assembly that the administration has been directed to accelerate the data registration in 'AgriStack' by enhancing the coordination between the Settlement Commissioner and the Agriculture Commissioner.
He stressed the importance of ensuring precise and timely verification of crop inspections.
Meanwhile, Pankaj Bhoyar, the Minister of State for Cooperation, indicated that the state government is keen on prioritizing women's cooperatives for labor society projects.
He highlighted that multiple agencies across Maharashtra allocate projects to Labour Contract Cooperative Societies, including jobs valued below Rs 10 lakh, projects obtained via e-tendering, and assignments given by Zilla Parishad authorities.
During a meeting at Mantralaya, he mentioned that although several government agencies award projects to labor cooperatives through e-tendering, the Cooperation Department currently lacks a centralized system to monitor this information.
Dr. Bhoyar instructed that data regarding works assigned through e-tenders and Zilla Parishads must be compiled at the District Deputy Registrar level.
He also called for the creation of an online registration portal and proposed a mechanism ensuring that payments for projects are not processed unless the corresponding department logs the work into this portal.
According to the Minister, a committee will be established to supervise projects assigned to labor cooperatives by various departments, with the mandate to submit a report promptly on prioritizing women's cooperatives for labor work.
Further actions will be based on the committee's recommendations.