Maharashtra CM Fadnavis announces first-ever Rs 5000 advance assistance to drought affected farmers, 1.25 cr farmers to benefit
CM Devendra Fadnavis announces a historic Rs 5,000 advance assistance for 1.25 crore drought-affected farmers in Maharashtra before Diwali.
In a historic move aimed at providing immediate relief to the agricultural community, the Maharashtra government has announced an advance assistance of Rs 5,000 for drought-affected farmers. This initiative, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, marks the first time in the state's history that such advance financial aid is being distributed to combat the hardships caused by water scarcity and crop failure.
Massive Financial Package for 1.25 Crore Farmers
The scale of this relief operation is unprecedented. Approximately 1 to 1.25 crore farmers across the state are expected to benefit from this scheme. According to government sources, the total expenditure for this advance assistance is estimated to be around ₹6,000 crore. The funds will be transferred directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries to ensure transparency and speed.
While previous administrations typically provided a minimum final assistance of Rs 1,000, the current government has significantly raised the floor, ensuring that the minimum assistance starts at Rs 5,000. This decision comes as the state expands its drought declarations, moving from 265 talukas to a total of 305 drought-affected talukas.
Diwali Relief: A Festive Lifeline
Recognizing the financial strain on rural households during the festive season, Chief Minister Fadnavis has framed this assistance as a "Diwali bonus." The government's primary objective is to ensure that the money reaches the farmers' accounts before the Diwali festival, allowing them to manage their festive expenses and meet essential needs despite the crop losses.
"This Diwali is going to be difficult for farmers. It will be difficult for them to manage during Diwali. Considering this situation, we have decided to provide assistance to farmers in the coming days," the Chief Minister stated during a press conference in Mumbai.
CM Issues Stern Warning to Officials Over Model Code of Conduct
The announcement was accompanied by reports of administrative friction. During high-level meetings, some ministers reportedly raised concerns that officials were refusing to attend drought-relief meetings, citing the restrictions imposed by the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
The Chief Minister expressed strong displeasure regarding this bureaucratic hesitation. He clarified that the Model Code of Conduct does not apply to essential drought-relief measures and instructed ministers to exercise their authority effectively. He issued a blunt ultimatum to the administration:
"If any officer is not attending a drought-related meeting citing the Model Code of Conduct, give me their names. I will suspend all of them."
Fadnavis emphasized that there is no requirement to seek permission from the Election Commission for urgent drought-related meetings or relief operations, urging officials to stop using the MCC as an excuse for inaction.
Accelerated Response to Crop Distress
The state government has moved to expedite the relief process compared to previous years. By analyzing historical data, the administration noted that assistance is traditionally distributed around December; however, the current government has chosen to act in advance to address the immediate distress caused by the drought. In addition to this new advance, the state is also continuing the process of crediting loan waiver amounts to farmers' accounts.