{
  "id": 10534671,
  "title": "'Maharashtra To Decide Drought Relief Aid After Crop Damage Assessment,' Says Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/maharashtra-to-decide-drought-relief-aid-after-crop-damage-assessment",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-28T19:54:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtra-to-decide-drought-relief-aid-after-crop-damage-assessment-says-minister-chandrashekhar-bawankule"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Maharashtra's Revenue Minister, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, announced that the state government will decide on drought relief aid for farmers after assessing crop damage, according to a report from Mumbai. Bawankule, who is also the chairman of the Cabinet sub-committee on drought relief, visited Ardhapur village in Nanded district to inspect crop damage. He emphasized the importance of accurate assessments to ensure that eligible farmers receive the maximum assistance under various relief schemes, including those run by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Bawankule clarified that blanket aid without crop damage assessments could leave some farmers without the support they need, urging the government to review the situation comprehensively before announcing assistance. He also revealed that leave had been cancelled for officers and employees from 11 departments involved in managing the drought situation, including revenue, agriculture, and water supply departments. The field-level officials have been instructed to remain present in villages to ensure proper crop damage assessments. Bawankule expressed concern over the serious crop situation in several parts of the state, particularly the Rabi season, and pledged to prevent farmer suicides and provide timely assistance to affected farmers. He confirmed that the panchnamas (assessments) would be completed across the state in the next few days.",
  "summary": "Mumbai: Maharashtra Revenue Minister and chairman of the Cabinet sub-committee on drought relief, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, on Monday said the state government would take a decision on financial assistance to drought-affected farmers after the completion of crop damage assessments and receipt of the final report. Accurate Assessment Directed Bawankule made the statement while inspecting crop…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}