Maha faces severe dry spell as 83 talukas in 19 districts received no rain for over 20 days
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 16 (IANS) With the monsoon taking a prolonged break, Kharif crops across Maharashtra are facing a severe crisis, pushing several districts to the brink of drought. During Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and several ministers expressed deep concern over the situation. Although no immediate relief package was announced, CM Fadnavis instructed state administrative machinery to stay on high alert. Following Cabinet discussion, the government clarified that a formal drought declaration cannot be made immediately. Under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) guidelines and Central Drought Management norms, official crop-damage surveys (Panchnamas) and ground verification must be conducted after October 5 to qualify for financial relief. Premature surveys would risk disqualifying farmers from central aid packages. Conducting assessments before that date would disqualify the affected farmers from official relief aid and result in an inaccurate estimation of damage. The government is currently preparing a comprehensive list of relief measures for farmers, and officials have been urged to coordinate effectively. This was stated by the agriculture department in its presentation, government sources have said. The Cabinet reviewed regional reports indicating severe dry spells (ranging from 20 to over 40 days) across 18-19 districts, with Marathwada, Vidarbha, and Western Maharashtra being the hardest hit. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule and the CM instructed all District Collectors and field administration to remain on high alert and prepare preliminary relief proposals. The local administration across affected districts (especially in Marathwada) has been ordered to prioritise and reserve existing dam storage strictly for drinking water purposes to prevent potential urban and rural water crises. While waiting for the official October 5 survey window, the government is drafting emergency relief lists, evaluating fodder supply availability for livestock, and instructing agricultural departments to guide farmers on protective irrigation for the surviving Kharif crops. According to the compilation made by the state agriculture department on region-wise crop status, in Beed, 37.21 per cent of the sown area has been damaged; in Jalna, 27.83 per cent; and 7.06 per cent in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. In Latur, Dharashiv, and Parbhani, soybean, green gram (moong), black gram (udid), and cotton crops on light soils are drying up. A widespread outbreak of the Yellow Mosaic virus on soybean crops has also been detected. Long dry spells across rain-fed tracts of Solapur, Satara, Sangli, and Ahilyanagar from Western Maharashtra have put severe stress on moong, udid, soybean, maize, and bajra crops. Yields in these regions are expected to drop by 20 to 25 per cent. In the Vidarbha region, Soybean and cotton crops face significant risk. Several talukas in Amravati, Akola, Buldhana, and Washim have reported a 2 to 3-week spell without rain. Soybeans on light soil have withered; farmers with irrigation facilities are using protective watering to save crops. Paddy transplantation has been delayed in parts of Nagpur, Chandrapur, and Gadchiroli due to deficient rainfall. In North Maharashtra, Nandurbar and select talukas of Nashik, the lack of rain has stunted the growth of maize, cotton, and other crops. However, recent rains in parts of Dhule and Jalgaon have brought partial relief to Kharif crops. Nandurbar has received only 46.6 per cent of its normal rainfall. Severe rainfall deficits are reported in Solapur, Kolhapur, Beed, Latur, Dharashiv, Parbhani, Hingoli, Akola, Washim, Amravati, Wardha, Nagpur, and Chandrapur. Meanwhile, opposition leaders -- including Vijay Wadettiwar and Solapur MP Praniti Shinde from the Congress, and the Shiv Sena(UBT) leaders -- have demanded the immediate declaration of drought in the affected districts. They highlighted that 19 districts and over 83 tehsils face severe rainfall deficits and looming fodder and water shortages. The opposition has urged the state government to issue an immediate emergency relief package, waive crop loans, and set up fodder camps and tanker water supply without waiting for formal post-monsoon timelines. Mahayuti coalition leaders, including NCP MLA Dhananjay Munde, have also written to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis requesting a drought declaration for the hard-hit Marathwada region.
Canal road shut for repairs, vehicles spill over into Sopanbaug roads & Solapur highway
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 10 (IANS) In a massive exercise to clean up Maharashtras voter database, the Election Commissions ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive has uncovered data discrepancies and technical anomalies in the enumeration forms of over 1.22 crore voters currently listed in the states draft electoral roll. Electoral authorities have initiated the issuance of formal notices to all affected individuals, requiring them to submit valid documentary proof to confirm their voter status. Concurrently, to prevent partisan misuse and safeguard against targeted mass deletions, State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S. Chockalingam has issued strict administrative directives barring any objections filed by individuals residing outside the targeted Assembly Constituency. Authorities have issued formal notices to all affected individuals, requiring them to submit supporting documentary proof to validate their status. Prior to the launch of the SIR drive, Maharashtras registered voter base stood at 9,78,54,049. Following field verification of enumeration forms, the Election Commission published the draft electoral roll on August 31, retaining 7,71,65,562 voters -- representing 78.86 per cent of the original total. Demographic breakdown of the retained electorate includes male voters: 3,95,89,905; female voters: 3,75,72,570; transgender voters: 3,087; and total retained: 7,71,65,562. Nearly 2,06,88,487 voters (21.14 per cent of the previous roll) were excluded from the draft list. Major factors behind the deletions include the removal of approximately 34 lakh deceased voters and 17 lakh duplicate entries spread across multiple constituencies. Of the 7.71 crore voters retained in the draft list, technical discrepancies were flagged in the enumeration records of 1,22,24,000 individuals, comprising inconsistent relative information for 62,48,281 voters and unmapped relatives for 59,75,626 voters. More than 1,00,000 data discrepancies were flagged per constituency in key areas including Malad, Dharavi, Panvel, Ovala-Majiwada, Kalyan Rural, Khadakwasla, Chinchwad, Hadapsar, Solapur South, Nagpur East, Nagpur West, Nagpur North, Hingna, and Badnera. Sources within the Election Commission confirmed that notices have been served to these individuals, and their voter status will only be confirmed upon the verification of additional evidence. Taking serious note of concerns raised by political parties regarding targeted mass objections aimed at deleting voters belonging to specific communities, the election machinery has introduced strict procedural safeguards. Following reports from Jharkhand where systematic mass applications were submitted by party representatives to drop specific names, the State CEO has directed the Mumbai Municipal Commissioner and all District Collectors to exercise extreme caution while processing claims and objections. Voters currently on the draft list have already undergone basic residential verification and are deemed eligible. While Form-7 remains available to challenge or request removal of an entry, objections will be accepted only from registered voters residing within the same Assembly constituency. Any individual raising an objection must submit valid proof of the challenged voter's ineligibility along with the application. The challenged voter must be granted a formal opportunity to appear at a hearing and present supporting evidence before any final decision is made, the sources said.
Organic Recycling Systems rises as BPCL CBG orders reach rs 259.71 crore
Organic Recycling Systems surged 5.03% to Rs 189 after its wholly owned subsidiary, Solapur Bioenergy Systems, secured a Rs 92.41-crore contract from Bharat Petroleum Corporation.
Manoj Jarange Patils fast enters day 5 as Maratha stir spreads across Maharashtra
Manoj Jarange Patil, a prominent Maratha leader, entered the fifth day of his hunger strike on Wednesday. His supporters have initiated protests that are causing significant disruptions across Maharashtra, including on the Dhule-Solapur highway. Patil has ominously indicated that the protests will escalate and reach Mumbai on September 12, urging the state to acknowledge Marathas as belonging to the Kunbi caste.
Bhandup police arrest murder accused absconding for 29 years
The accused, identified as Ravindra alias Pamplet Eknath Vichare, was arrested from Ashutosh Lodge in Karmala in Solapur district after investigators received information
India sugar tender rates drop by 500 a quintal, but retail rates soar to a new high
Solapur-based Loknete Baburao Patil Agro Industries Ltd in Maharashtra sells S-30 grade sugar at 5,850 a quintal; Food Secretary says price rise not driven by fundamentals
Illegal Abortion Kits Racket Busted In Maharashtra, Case Against 8
The FDA, in a statement here, said its Nagpur and Solapur offices acted on August 12 against illegal sale of Clear Kit and Prega End, medicines used for abortion.
New Delhi [India], August 14: Organic Recycling Systems Limited (BSE: 543997), an integrated CleanTech and decarbonisation platform, is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, Solapur Bioenergy Systems Private Limited (SBESPL), has secured the renewal of its Operations and Maintenance (O & M) contract from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) for the Gorakhpur Compressed Biogas plant in Uttar Pradesh. This marks the second consecutive term for which SBESPL has been entrusted with full O & M responsibility for the facility, underscoring the sustained operational confidence IOCL has placed in ORSL's subsidiary.
Maharashtra: Director of Police Training Institute Arrested in TET Paper Leak Case
Bhivandi, August 11: In a significant development in the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) paper leak case, the director of a police training institute in Solapur has been arrested. The police are expected to present him in Bhivandi court on Tuesday. DCP Pawan Bansod from Bhivandi Zone-2 confirmed the arrest. The arrested individual, Prakash Pawar, operates ... Read more Maharashtra: Director of Police Training Institute Arrested in TET Paper Leak Case
Yadagirigutta to Solapur: After three years, woman recovers memory, finds her way home
Hutatma Express completes 25 years of service
Iconic SolapurPune train enters 26th year after serving lakhs of commuters since 2001
Standard KAVACH commissioned on SolapurWadi section of Central Railway
149.476-km SolapurWadi route becomes first in the Solapur Division of Central Railway to get indigenous train protection system
Solapur man rescues five after pilgrims van falls into well
In an extraordinary act of courage, a young man from Maharashtras Solapur district rescued five people after a pickup van carrying pilgrims lost control and plunged into an open roadside well near Tandalwadi village, close to Pandharpur, on Monday. The tragic accident occurred when the vehicle, carrying several devotees, veered off the road and fell Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Tragic Road Accident in Solapur Claims Eight Lives
Solapur, June 14: A devastating road accident in Solapur district, Maharashtra, resulted in the loss of eight lives on Sunday. Among the deceased are four women and four children. The incident occurred near Tandulwadi village on the Mhaswad-Pandharpur road. Reports indicate that the victims were returning from visiting the Siddhanath Temple in Mhaswad when their ... Read more Tragic Road Accident in Solapur Claims Eight Lives
Mahayuti likely to win six MLC seats unopposed
With Mahayuti securing six seats out of 17, this is a major setback for the Opposition and the six unopposed seats are Pune, Thane, Wardha, Yavatmal, Solapur, and Ratnagiri
Shocking Attempted Assault on Minor in Solapur Madrasa
Solapur, June 3: A disturbing incident has emerged from Solapur, Maharashtra, where a cleric attempted to molest an 11-year-old girl who had come to a madrasa for religious education. The girl bravely reported the incident to her family, prompting them to file a complaint with the police. According to Police Commissioner M. Rajkumar, a case ... Read more Shocking Attempted Assault on Minor in Solapur Madrasa
Solapur-Hassan Express to halt at Channarayapatna from May 31
Central Railway conducts fire safety seminar for TTEs in Solapur
Officials emphasised the absolute necessity of maintaining alertness during duty hours and having proper knowledge of firefighting equipment
Balaji Amines shines on commissioning DME production plant at Solapur facility
Mumbai, May 21 (Udaipur Kiran): Balaji Amines is currently trading at Rs. 1855.00, up by 27.15 points or 1.49% from its previous closing of Rs. 1827.85 on the BSE. The scrip opened at Rs. 1849.95 and has touched a high and low of Rs. 1897.00 and Rs. 1838.80 respectively. So far 18454 shares were traded ... Read more Balaji Amines shines on commissioning DME production plant at Solapur facility
