Nagpur: The state govt has constituted a cabinet sub-committee headed by revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule to oversee the state’s response to the drought-like situation.Several parts of Vidarbha and Marathwada have suffered crop damage, with concerns also being raised over drinking water and livestock fodder following deficient rainfall. The committee, constituted on the directions of CM Devendra Fadnavis following the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, is empowered to conduct district-level reviews, monitor crop-loss assessments and recommend urgent measures for farmers and rural communities.A GR issued by Disaster Management, Relief and Rehabilitation Department on Wednesday gives the panel responsibility for monitoring drought, drinking-water and fodder shortages and recommending decisions according to conditions on the ground.Besides the chief secretary, the panel comprises nine cabinet ministers. It will undertake field visits to affected areas, assess the situation and meet farmers and villagers to identify immediate requirements. It will meet every week and submit a comprehensive assessment to Fadnavis and the two deputy CMs. The review will include the progress of crop-loss panchnamas and recommendations on assistance to affected farmers.The panel will be responsible for planning drinking water supply in each district based on available water stock, assessing livestock population in affected districts and recommending measures to ensure adequate fodder and prevent shortages.The committee has also been tasked with recommending urgent decisions to the state cabinet according to the severity of the situation.The state has already ordered early crop-loss assessments, with the administration instructed to record panchnamas and prepare information required for relief measures.The committee will place the response to the drought-like situation under a single, multi-departmental mechanism, bringing together the departments responsible for revenue, water resources, water supply, agriculture, soil and water conservation, animal husbandry, rural development, transport, relief and rehabilitation and cooperation.Nine ministers on the committeeGirish Mahajan, minister for water resources and disaster management; Gulabrao Patil, minister for water supply and sanitation; Sanjay Rathod, minister for soil and water conservation; Pankaja Munde, minister for animal husbandry, environment and climate change; Dattatray Bharne, agriculture minister; Jaikumar Gore, rural development minister; Pratap Sarnaik, transport minister; Makarand Patil, relief and rehabilitation minister; and Babasaheb Patil, cooperation minister.
