Maharashtra Provides 5,000 Rupee Advance Drought Relief to Farmers

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the Government of Maharashtra is providing an advance financial assistance payment of 5,000 rupees to farmers affected by drought. Described as a Diwali bonus, the payment is intended to reach accounts before the holiday to alleviate financial distress while administrative and Central assessment procedures continue. Fadnavis stated the measure is unprecedented, noting that such assistance is typically not provided until December.

The state expanded its drought declaration to cover 305 out of 358 talukas, affecting over 85% of Maharashtra's sub-divisions. During an announcement in Wardha, Fadnavis defended the relief amount against opposition criticism by contrasting it with a 2,500 rupee payment provided by Karnataka. He also noted that loan waiver amounts are being credited to farmers' accounts.

Despite the measure, some farmers have protested the adequacy of the funds. Chand Shaikh, a soybean cultivator from the Dharashiv district, sent a 5,000 rupee money order to the Chief Minister in protest. Shaikh reported spending 25,000 rupees on his 1.5-acre crop only to earn 3,900 rupees, and he borrowed 1,100 rupees from a friend to fund the money order protest.