Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has appealed to all state government employees, including IAS, IPS and IFS officers, to contribute one day’s salary from their October 2026 pay to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to support drought-hit farmers. The General Administration Department (GAD), under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has issued a government circular urging departments, local bodies, public sector undertakings and autonomous institutions to encourage participation. The contribution will be calculated on the basis of basic pay and dearness allowance. Employees who oppose the deduction can submit written objections within two days. If all government employees contribute, around Rs 306 crore could be mobilised for drought relief, officials said. Interestingly, political parties have so far not appealed to their public representatives, including MPs, MLAs and corporators, to contribute their salaries to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
The government’s circular comes days after the Maharashtra State Gazetted Officers’ Federation and the State Government Employees’ Central Organisation expressed their willingness to contribute a day’s salary to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
The circular said, “The contribution will be calculated on the basis of basic pay and dearness allowance. Department heads and office heads have been asked to inform employees about the initiative and encourage their participation.”
According to the circular, the GAD has also instructed government departments, district councils, municipal corporations, municipalities, public sector undertakings and autonomous institutions to facilitate the collection and transfer of contributions to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
Maharashtra has been facing a drought more severe than the one in 1972. Of the 358 talukas in the state, 304 have already been declared drought-affected. The state government has announced 12 relief measures and concessions for farmers, agricultural labourers, students, livestock and other affected residents. The government needs funds to provide relief to farmers under these measures. The state government has also sought financial assistance of Rs 17,500 crore from the central government to compensate for crop losses and manage fodder supplies.
The circular also said, “Employees who object to the deduction have been given the option to submit a written objection through their respective administrative departments within two days.”
It also provides for the issuance of donation certificates and states that contributions will be eligible for income tax benefits under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, subject to applicable requirements.
A senior official said that employees were generally willing to contribute a day’s salary to help tackle situations such as drought.
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