About DST — vision, mission and board — Development Support Team

Who we are

Based at Pune, DST is registered under the society and trusts acts governed by the stipulated rules and norms applicable under these acts. It has a general body of 24 members comprising individuals interested in furthering its objectives. An Executive Committee (EC) of seven members elected by the General Body meets regularly to oversee the operations and finances as approved by the General Body. The EC has three office bearers comprising the Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer selected by committee members.

Development Support Team (DST) was established in response to the newly emerging needs and expectations of the civil society sector. Many organisations, engaged in the field of multifaceted development, were established in the country in the 80s. However, these well-meaning organisations needed support for programme design, organisational management, training, documentation, monitoring and other technical aspects.

To provide this support, DST was formed to provide need based, ongoing and participatory support that would enable the organisations to operate effectively and efficiently. A group of like minded people which included social workers, development professionals, academicians and development practitioners came together and formed DST.

Mission

Capacity building of NGOs to help them develop skills and effectively implement and manage their programmes.

Arrange capacity building and training for Community Based Organisations to function independently.

Facilitate and conduct studies, research, organisational development, evaluation, resource mobilisation and contribute towards programme formulation for community development.

Objectives

Development related support to Community Based Organisations working towards socio economic development.

To undertake and to assist studies and research in the field of development.

To provide facilities for the exchange of information and experience among different voluntary agencies working in the field of development.

To undertake and to assist with organising workshops, seminars and training courses for workers engaged in development.

To undertake all such programmes and activities as might facilitate development.

Organisational structure

DST is based at Pune, and is registered as a society and a trust, and is governed by the stipulated rules and norms applicable under the said Acts. It has a general body of 24 members comprising individuals interested in furthering this work. An Executive Committee (EC) of seven members elected by the General Body meets regularly to oversee the operations and finances as approved by the General Body. The EC has three office bearers comprising of the Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer elected by committee members.

Requesting support to undertake drought relief and long-term mitigation measures in drought hit Dharashiv and Satara districts

Background: After experiencing 2012 - 2016 severe drought conditions, the state of Maharashtra is suffering from yet another spell of severe drought caused due to Al – Nino effect or climate change caused due to global warming. The drought this year is one of the worst metrological conditions for the people posing many challenges before government and NGOs in the process of arranging relief and other measures. Large parts of Maharashtra fall under semi-arid zone which routinely experience uncertain rainfall and often droughts like conditions. By one estimate, every third year is a drought year for Marathwada, parts of Vidarbha and western Maharashtra which has become an agro-climatic feature / characteristic of these geographies. This situation makes Maharashtra’s large areas highly vulnerable to drought conditions and this year’s drought is yet another such condition for people particularly in these topographies. However, this year the drought situation is very harsh due to fact that an average rainfall in central and south east Maharashtra is not even 100 mm causing severe damage to monsoon crops and natural percolation and conservation processes. The conditions have thus led to drying up of ground and surface water resources, shortage of fodder for cattle and uncertainties for winter (Rabbi) crop predicting huge losses. When people compare the current drought situation with 1971-72 severe drought that had hit entire India very harshly, then there was shortage of food grain but did not have much water scarcity. This year water shortage is very dreadful and posing a serious challenge before government even to meet basic needs of large section of people and cattle.

State Government’s Drought Response 2026: Responding to the emerging drought conditions, Maharashtra government immediately declared 305 talukas as most affected through a notification (14th October Notification). It was also prompt in announcing short term and long - term actions to deal with emerging drought situation. It announced 12 Measures on 25th September through a state notification focusing on drinking water supply, arrangements for drinking water and fodder for cattle, use of G – Ram – G scheme for various soil and water conservation and other development activities, compensation for lost crops, relief for electricity bills for farmers, waiving of school/college fees for students, timely ration for landless labours, measures for long term drought mitigation especially water conservation resources, etc. In addition to these measures, state also announced DBT of Rs. 5000 to affected families. Financial assistance has also been sought from central government as state alone can - not deal with situation given the scale of the drought. This situation also demands close coordination between state administration and NGOs to provide relief and the long - term mitigation measures.

Our Experience: Development Support Team (DST) has worked on various natural calamities in general and its Chairperson Shri Shirish Kulkarni was founder of a leading NGOs network namely ‘Maharashtra Drought Relief and Support Programme which worked on drought relief, livelihood promotion and mobilization of then government relief measures during 2012-16 severe drought experienced by Maharashtra state. Given the harsh drought conditions today, in Jawali block of Satara district and Tuljapur block of Dharashiv district in the state, where DST already have climate resilient agriculture and nutrition development programmes through active involvement of women, has decided to undertake relief and long-term mitigation measures such water conservation works for farming community here to save their livelihood means. This is also necessary to restrict losses to ongoing development programmes in our operational areas.

DST would like to request International Donors, Indian CSRs and individual donors to graciously extend their generous support to our organization to help undertake relief measures such as supply of drinking water, fodder and water for cattle, mobilization of government relief measures for communities and long-term mitigation measures such as soil and water conservation activities. More details of relief plans will be shared on inquiry.

DST is registered under 80G and 12 A provisions of income tax act 1961 and donations to the organization are exempted from income tax as per the prevailing rules.

For details please visit our website www.dstpune.org. Please write to us at developmentst@gmail.com or call at office phone numbers + 91 020 25887524, M: 9422318795.

About us

Who we are

Mission

Objectives

Area of operation

Organisational structure

Board members

Shirish Kulkarni

Medha Ranade

Jyoti Desai Upadhyay

Shri Adinath Ombale

Ms. Mangala Daithankar

Lieut Colonel A. V. Paranjape (Retired, Dr.)

Prashant Kothadiya

Appeal to address Maharashtra Drought 2026 - 27

Press coverage — Latur meeting