Maharashtra to open CM Relief Fund cells in drought-hit talukas, each with a medical officer

The Maharashtra government has decided to take the Chief Minister's Relief Fund cell down to the taluka level, to help people in drought conditions. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took the decision. A separate medical officer will be appointed to each cell so that health services reach people in drought-hit talukas properly.

The state government approved extending the arrangement to taluka level so that needy patients in drought-affected areas get treatment on time. The General Administration Department issued a government order on the matter on November 6, 2026. Health coordination committees will also be formed at district and taluka levels. The cell will be set up only in talukas declared drought-hit under Trigger-1 in the Kharif season of 2026.

The cell will function from the office of the panchayat samiti of the taluka concerned. The District Collector will appoint a separate medical officer as head of the cell. A clerk and a typist will assist the officer, while the Block Development Officer must provide the necessary facilities on priority.

Patients will first be sought to be treated, according to their eligibility, under Ayushman Bharat, the Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, Labour Department schemes and charitable hospitals. Applications of patients who are not eligible for these schemes will be sent through the empanelled hospitals to the online system for approval. The cell will guide them in this.

The head of the cell must identify needy patients through sub-district and rural hospitals, primary health centres, sub-centres and ASHA workers. The cell will be responsible for ensuring that no patient is denied treatment.

The local MLA will chair the taluka-level committee, with the Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue) as co-chair. The tehsildar, the Block Development Officer, the taluka health officer, the medical superintendent and representatives of the Indian Medical Association and the Chemists and Druggists Association will be members. The head of the cell will serve as member secretary.

The district-level committee will be chaired by the guardian minister, with the District Collector as co-chair and the District Health Officer as member secretary. Two social workers from the medical field will also sit on the committee as non-official members.

Health experts from the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, the Indian Medical Association, the Maharashtra Medical Council, local medical organisations and private hospitals will be enlisted. Health camps will be held in drought-hit areas to provide patients with medicines and treatment.

Both committees must meet at least twice a month. Remote areas, areas with large populations and those short of health facilities will be identified and addressed on priority. The committees will plan reviews of drinking water and heat-related illnesses, health camps, mobile medical teams and the services of specialist doctors. Special attention will be paid to women, children, the elderly and patients with diabetes and blood pressure.

The taluka cell will report its day-to-day work and camps to the district cell. The district cell will compile the reports of all talukas and submit them to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund cell at Mantralaya.

Rameshwar Naik, head of the Chief Minister's Relief Fund and Charitable Hospital Help Cell, said the decision was taken, on the thinking of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, to bring the relief fund system closer to ordinary people. According to him, starting cells at taluka level will let needy patients in drought-hit areas be identified in time and make it possible to get them proper treatment and financial help. Benefits of health schemes will be coordinated with Chief Minister's Relief Fund help where required. Naik said the main aim of the initiative is that no needy patient is denied treatment because of lack of money.