The Bombay High Court wants “a clear idea” of the State’s relief framework first: it has asked the Maharashtra Government to place its Drought Relief Schemes on record before it hears a public interest litigation alleging that landless labourers, marginal farmers and agricultural workers have been left out of relief after drought was declared in 305 of the State’s 358 talukas.
Mumbai: Before it goes into a petition filed by a registered union of rural workers, the Bombay High Court on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, directed the Maharashtra Government to furnish copies of all schemes meant for drought-affected persons across the State [Swabhimani Mazdoor Sanghatan v. Union of India].
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Mahendra Sethna asked Advocate General Dr Milind Sathe to place the details on record before November 18, when the Court reopens after the Diwali vacation.
The union’s complaint
Swabhimani Mazdoor Sanghatan has approached the Court on behalf of landless labourers, marginal farmers, migrant workers and agricultural workers in Maharashtra, through Senior Advocate Mihir Desai and Advocate Devyani Kulkarni.
Its petition alleges that after drought was declared in 305 of 358 talukas, State authorities have not provided the union’s members work, unemployment allowance, food, drinking water, healthcare and other relief. The plea states:
“The relief announced so far is farmer-centric, tied to land records and to banks or co-operative credit and excludes landless labourers, marginal farmers and agricultural workers.”
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Schemes first, hearing later
The petition was listed on Wednesday, but the Bench could not take it up for want of time. Speaking orally, Chief Justice Tripathi told the State to bring every relevant scheme so that the Court understood the existing framework before going into the matter:
“You bring all the relevant schemes meant for drought-affected persons… So that even we have a clear idea about the same before hearing the matter in detail.”
Appearing with Additional Government Pleader Priyabhushan Kakade, AG Sathe assured the Bench that the details would be provided.
What the union is asking for
The petitioners want the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025 and the Maharashtra Employment Guarantee Act, 1977 properly implemented. They also seek full implementation of the Manual for Drought Management, 2016 and the State Disaster Management Plan, 2023 as a three-year drought resilience plan, with monthly compliance reports.
The other prayers cover unemployment allowance, free foodgrains and a food security allowance, drinking water and fodder, and debt relief extending to micro-finance and informal loans. The plea had further sought Rs 5,000 in financial assistance from the State to drought-hit farmers as an advance relief bonus ahead of Diwali.
Where the case stands
No finding has been issued on the petitioners’ claims, and the Bench has not examined the merits of the PIL. The State is yet to respond to the allegations. The matter will be heard on November 18, 2026, the first day after the Court reopens.
With drought declared across most of Maharashtra’s talukas, the case asks whether relief tied to land records and institutional credit leaves out those who own no land or borrow informally. By calling for the State’s schemes first, the Court will have the full relief framework before it when it tests the claim that landless workers and marginal farmers are being excluded.
Case Title: Swabhimani Mazdoor Sanghatan v. Union of India
Court: Bombay High Court
Bench: Chief Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripathi and Justice Advait Mahendra Sethna
Date of Hearing: November 4, 2026
For the Petitioner: Senior Advocate Mihir Desai with Advocate Devyani Kulkarni
For the State: Advocate General Dr Milind Sathe with Additional Government Pleader Priyabhushan Kakade
Next Date: November 18, 2026