Diwali Boost: Maharashtra to Give Rs 7,500 Crore Drought Relief to 1.5 Crore Farmers
Maharashtra govt to transfer Rs 5,000 each to 1.5 crore farmers as advance drought relief before Diwali.
In a major move to support the agricultural community, the Maharashtra government has announced the disbursement of Maharashtra drought relief farmers assistance totaling Rs 7,500 crore. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has instructed officials to ensure that Rs 5,000 is deposited as advance relief into the bank accounts of 1.5 crore farmers within this week, ensuring the funds reach them before the Diwali festivities.
Direct Transfer and Strict Bank Guidelines
To ensure that the financial aid reaches the beneficiaries in full, the Chief Minister has issued strict directives to banking institutions. Officials have been told to ensure that banks do not deduct any amount from these relief payments, allowing farmers to receive the entire sum of Rs 5,000 without any cuts.
The decision was finalized during a recent Cabinet meeting, reflecting the government's urgency to provide a safety net for those affected by drought-like conditions across various parts of the state.
Beyond Immediate Cash: A Comprehensive Support Package
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde emphasized that the Rs 5,000 payment is an immediate gesture of help, but not the only support available. He clarified that since a drought has been officially declared, farmers will be eligible for a wider array of benefits.
According to Shinde, there are 12 types of benefits that will be extended to the farming community, including:
- Waivers of various fees.
- Special arrangements for water supply.
- Loan reorganization schemes.
- Ease of loan recovery processes.
"A provision of Rs 7,500 Crores has been made; the money will be transferred to their accounts immediately. Farmers will get money before Diwali. We will not let farmers' Diwali turn dark," Shinde stated.
A First-of-Its-Kind Advance Assistance
Speaking in Wardha, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis highlighted that this is the first time the state has provided advance financial assistance in this manner. He noted that historically, farmers rarely received such aid before December, and those with small landholdings often received as little as Rs 1,000.
Fadnavis acknowledged that while Rs 5,000 cannot possibly cover the total losses incurred due to drought, it serves as critical immediate support. He also drew a comparison with neighboring Karnataka, noting that the neighboring state provided only Rs 2,500 despite facing severe drought conditions.
The government has assured that while the current payment is an advance, additional compensation will be paid to eligible farmers at a later stage.