India

Maharashtra CM Announces ₹5,000 Advance Relief for 1.5 Crore Farmers Amid Drought

By Bhanu Pratap

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the state will provide an advance drought relief of ₹5,000 to approximately 1.5 crore farmers, with a total allocation of ₹7,500 crore, according to ANI. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting. Fadnavis has instructed officials to ensure that banks do not deduct any amount from the relief payments so that eligible farmers receive the full assistance. The announcement comes as large parts of Maharashtra are experiencing drought‑like conditions, raising concerns over crop losses, water availability and financial distress among farmers. Earlier, the chief minister said the state had declared 305 talukas drought‑affected, up from 265. In a press conference in Mumbai, he said the government had decided to extend assistance to farmers facing crop losses and financial hardship and had expedited the relief process compared with previous years. Speaking to reporters in Wardha on Sunday, Fadnavis defended the assistance, saying it would provide immediate support even if it could not fully compensate for losses. “For the first time, we have provided advance financial assistance to farmers in this manner. Never before have Maharashtra’s farmers received such assistance before December,” he said. He added that farmers with small landholdings had earlier received barely ₹1,000, while the new arrangement would ensure that every eligible farmer received at least ₹5,000, with the remaining compensation to be paid later. Comparing Maharashtra’s assistance with Karnataka’s drought relief measures, Fadnavis said the neighbouring state had provided ₹2,500 despite facing severe drought. “I understand farmers’ hardships, and ₹5,000 cannot compensate for their losses, but it will offer some relief,” he said. The chief minister also criticised opposition leaders who criticised the amount, comparing it with the Maharashtra government’s Ladki Bahin scheme, under which women beneficiaries receive ₹1,500. “When we provided ₹1,500 to women under the Ladki Bahin scheme, the same Congress and opposition leaders criticised the amount. But the women knew the importance of ₹1,500, just as our farmers understand the value of ₹5,000,” he said. He added that political leaders with substantial personal wealth might not understand the significance of the assistance for farmers facing financial difficulties. The state is facing widespread rainfall deficits, with drought declarations extended to 305 of Maharashtra’s 358 talukas, according to the figures cited by the state government. The overall monsoon rainfall deficit has been reported at around 18%, although the shortfall varies significantly across regions. Solapur has recorded a deficit of 57%, followed by Beed at 49%, Hingoli at 48%, Jalna at 46% and Dharashiv at 45%, according to the figures provided. With inputs from ANI.