MUMBAI, Nov. 9 -- The Maharashtra government has decided to establish Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) cells at the taluka level in drought-affected areas to ensure that needy patients receive timely medical treatment. Dedicated medical officers will be appointed to head these cells while healthcare services in drought-hit talukas will be strengthened through better coordination and monitoring. Dr Rameshwar Naik, who heads the Chief Minister's Medical Assistance Cell, said that CM Devendra Fadnavis had taken the decision to give residents of these areas easier access to financial assistance and medical treatment. On November 6, the general administration department issued a government resolution approving the extension of the assistance mechanism to the taluka level. Health coordination committees will also be established at both district and taluka levels. The new cells will be set up exclusively in talukas where drought was declared under Trigger 1 during the 2026 Kharif season. Each cell will function from the office of the concerned panchayat samiti. The district collector will appoint a dedicated medical officer to head the cell, who will be assisted by a clerk and a typist. Officials said the block development officer (BDO) would be responsible for providing the necessary facilities on priority. Under the new mechanism, patients will first be guided towards treatment under existing healthcare schemes, including the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, labour department schemes and treatment facilities at charitable hospitals depending on their eligibility. Applications of patients who are not covered under these schemes will be submitted online for approval through affiliated hospitals. The taluka-level cells are supposed to guide patients through all the application and approval processes. The head of each cell has also been given the responsibility of identifying needy patients through sub-district and rural hospitals, primary healthcare centres, sub-centres and ASHA workers....