73 lakh farmers get Rs 5,000 drought relief before Diwali, says Fadnavis

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Wednesday that 73 lakh farmers have so far received Rs 5,000 as the first instalment of drought relief. The amount had been promised before Diwali. He said some farmers are getting the money late because of problems with their bank accounts.

Fadnavis told reporters that about 95 per cent of eligible farmers are expected to receive the amount in the next two days. "The advance payment that was promised before Diwali has so far reached the accounts of 73 lakh farmers. In the next two days, money will reach the accounts of most farmers," he said. After low rainfall this year, the state government has declared 85 per cent of Maharashtra drought-hit and had announced interim aid of Rs 5,000 to farmers before Diwali.

The Chief Minister also said ministers will visit farmers' homes and celebrate Diwali with them. He clarified that the decision was taken jointly by the state Cabinet. "This is not my order. All the ministers spoke and felt that we should celebrate Diwali with the farmers," he said.

On the loan waiver scheme, Fadnavis said Rs 4,764 crore was credited on Wednesday to the accounts of 4.86 lakh farmers. The largest share went to Marathwada, which has about 2.76 lakh beneficiaries. About 21 lakh farmers have so far benefited from the loan waiver. The beneficiary lists are being verified and payments will continue. He said the Mahayuti government, an alliance of the BJP, the NCP led by Sunetra Pawar and Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, stands firmly with farmers and is helping them through various schemes.

Speaking on water for Marathwada, the Chief Minister said the region has been deprived of water for years. "It was the Mahayuti government that gave Marathwada its rightful seven TMC of water," he said. According to him, the work is close to completion and water will soon start flowing. Dharashiv and Beed districts will benefit the most.

Targeting the opposition, Fadnavis alleged that in the name of saving the Constitution, the opposition is attempting "regime change". He claimed that an attempt is being made to change the present system under the leadership of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc. "Regime change means changing the Constitution," he said. He also said the ruling alliance will take to the streets to respond to such efforts. According to him, "More people are with the Indian Constitution and democracy than those who come out on the streets. People are against anarchy, which is why we are holding these rallies."

On the ongoing agitation by sugarcane farmers, the Chief Minister said the government is trying to resolve the matter through talks between farmers and sugar mills. The dispute is over farmers wanting mills to pay more than the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP). The FRP is fixed by the government and must be paid. Fadnavis said the agitation is hurting only the farmers, and he appealed to them to end it peacefully. Minister Hasan Mushrif has been asked to hold talks and find a solution, and the government is acting as a mediator. "We are trying to find a way out and want the agitation to end peacefully," he said.