Palghar Agriculture Staff Meet Minister Ganesh Naik Over Staffing Pattern
Representatives of several employee associations from the Agriculture Department in Palghar met Guardian Minister Ganesh Naik at the District Collector’s Office on Friday, 21 August, submitting a memorandum to oppose the department’s newly approved staffing structure.
The employee organisations voiced strong concerns that the revised staffing pattern reduces field-level officers who directly visit farms to provide technical guidance, while increasing administrative and office-based positions. They alleged that the framework harms the interests of farmers as well as officers and employees in the technical cadre.
The delegation at the District Collector's Office included Anil Nargulwar, Palghar District President of the Agriculture Officers’ Association; Jagdish Patil, Treasurer; and Hemant Adhikari, District President of the Assistant Agriculture Officers’ Association, along with representatives of Assistant Agriculture Officers, Deputy Agriculture Officers, Agriculture Officers, and Taluka Agriculture Officers.
According to the associations, Ganesh Naik assured the delegation that he would raise the issue with the Chief Minister to address their grievances. The State Government approved the new staffing structure on August 11, 2026, but employee groups claimed they were not adequately consulted before the framework was finalised.
The associations have demanded that the government reconsider and either withdraw or amend the structure to maintain the strength of field-level posts. They warned that if their demands are not met, agriculture associations across Maharashtra will launch phased protests leading to an indefinite work stoppage starting September 4.
Field officers routinely assist cultivators with crop management, pest and disease control, adoption of modern farming technology, and the implementation of government schemes and financial aid. Representatives argued that diminishing field manpower would weaken the agricultural extension system and disrupt service delivery to farmers.
Noting that the staffing pattern is being revised after nearly 15 to 20 years, the associations called on the government to account for increased workloads and the expanding scope of agricultural schemes. They sought an increase in sanctioned posts, upgrades for existing positions, promotional opportunities, and parity in administrative powers with equivalent roles in other state departments.
