Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, who chairs the Cabinet sub-committee on drought relief, on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, directed the state administration to deploy water tankers only as a last resort while tackling the ongoing drought crisis spanning 305 talukas. He also ordered District Collectors to frame a Special Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for managing both fodder and water resources immediately, and to restore non-functional tap water supply schemes within 15 days.

Key Directives to District Collectors

Minister Bawankule instructed District Collectors to restore smooth electricity supplies and make 75 fully constructed water schemes operational within 15 days, alongside at least 25 per cent of incomplete schemes that have been stalled due to fund shortages. Funds from the 15th and 16th Finance Commissions will be drawn upon to clear pending electricity bills for these schemes, the minister confirmed after chairing the sub-committee meeting in Mumbai.

One-Time Settlement for ₹3,000 Crore in Pending Water Dues

A major financial relief measure announced at the meeting is a One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme targeting approximately ₹3,000 crore in pending water scheme dues. Under the OTS, interest and penalty charges on these dues will be fully waived, allowing local bodies to repay the principal amount in structured installments. The move is aimed at reviving stalled water infrastructure by unblocking dues that have accumulated over years of underpayment by civic and rural bodies.

Fodder Banks, Seed Distribution and Surplus Transfer

'To combat potential feed scarcity for livestock, District Collectors, in coordination with the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry departments, will set up a dedicated Fodder Bank alongside structured SOPs. Excess fodder from surplus districts will be transferred to neighbouring drought-hit regions. Fodder seeds worth ₹62 crore will be distributed to farmers with sustainable water sources to boost local production. Government agencies will procure fodder from farmers at guaranteed prices,' Minister Bawankule stated.

This coordinated inter-district transfer mechanism is notably new — previous drought cycles in Maharashtra have drawn criticism for siloed district-level responses that failed to redistribute available resources efficiently.

Crop Loss Assessment and Drought Status Report

According to the minister, the third phase of drought mitigation is actively under way. Crop loss assessment through panchanamas — official field inspections — is currently 70 per cent complete, with full data collection expected by 31 October. A comprehensive picture of the state's drought status is expected to be published the following week. This data will be critical in determining the scale of state and central government relief packages.

CSR Funds, Women SHGs and Road Projects Roped In

The Cabinet sub-committee also resolved to mobilise Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds from major companies and District Planning and Development Committee (DPDC) funds for drought relief. Notably, all new road construction projects in drought-hit regions will be mandated to incorporate water body creation — including storage tanks and local water sources. Unused revenue department land will be allotted to Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for fodder cultivation, introducing a livelihood dimension to the relief framework.

With crop loss data due by month-end and the OTS scheme set to unlock stalled water infrastructure, the coming weeks will be decisive in determining how effectively Maharashtra translates these directives into on-ground relief for farmers and livestock across its drought-affected districts.