Nagpur, Sept. 18 -- Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule today said the state government has directed the administration to immediately assess the drought-like conditions prevailing in several parts of Maharashtra.

Speaking to reporters here, Bawankule said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had accorded the highest priority to the drought situation during the Cabinet meeting and instructed officials to undertake a ground-level assessment by directly interacting with farmers and visiting affected fields.

He said the government has received preliminary reports from 18 districts, but a final decision on relief measures would be taken only after a detailed assessment of actual crop losses.

The final report on damage to major crops, inclu...