Maharashtra drought: CM Fadnavis announces ₹7,500 crore relief package; how much does each farmer get? | Today’s news
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced tentative drought relief ₹5,000 each for around 1.5 million farmers with a total allocation ₹7,500 crore, news agency ANI reported on Tuesday, citing sources.
According to ANI, the decision was taken in a cabinet meeting. Fadnavis directed officials to ensure that banks do not deduct any amount from assistance payments and that eligible farmers receive full assistance.
The Chief Minister directed officials to issue clear instructions to banks to prevent deductions from funds transferred to farmers as advance drought relief.
The announcement comes at a time when large parts of Maharashtra are facing drought-like conditions, raising concerns about crop losses, water availability and financial distress among farmers.
Fadnavis had earlier said that the state had declared 305 taluks drought-hit, up from the earlier 265.
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, he said the government has decided to extend assistance to farmers facing crop losses and financial distress and has expedited the assistance process compared to previous years, as reported by ANI.
What did Fadnavis say about ₹5000 relief
Speaking to reporters in Wardha on Sunday, Fadnavis defended the aid and said he would provide immediate support to farmers even if he would not be able to fully compensate them for their losses.
“This is the first time we have provided advance financial assistance to farmers in this way. Never before did Maharashtra farmers get such assistance before December,” he said, as quoted by ANI.
He added that farmers with small plots of land used to get barely ₹1,000, while the new arrangement would ensure that each eligible farmer receives a min ₹5,000, with the remaining compensation to be paid later.
Comparing Maharashtra’s aid to Karnataka’s drought relief measures, Fadnavis said the neighboring state had provided ₹2,500 despite severe drought.
“I understand the plight of farmers and ₹5,000 cannot compensate their losses but it will offer some relief,” he said.
Fadnavis targets opposition criticism
The chief minister also hit out at opposition leaders who criticized the amount, comparing it to the Maharashtra government’s Ladki Bahin scheme, under which women beneficiaries get ₹1,500.
“When we provided ₹1,500 to women under the Ladki Bahin scheme, the same amount Congress and opposition leaders criticized. But women knew how important it was ₹1,500, just like our farmers understand the value ₹5,000,” he said.
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He added that political leaders with significant personal wealth may not understand the importance of helping farmers facing financial difficulties.
Drought situation in Maharashtra
The state is facing widespread rainfall deficits and the drought declaration has extended to 305 of Maharashtra’s 358 taluks, according to data cited by the state government.
The overall monsoon rainfall deficit has been reported to be around 18%, although the shortfall varies significantly from region to region.
Solapur recorded a deficit of 57%, followed by Beed 49%, Hingoli 48%, Jalna 46% and Dharashiv 45%, according to the data provided.
