Maharashtra clears Rs 5,000 advance for 1.5 crore farmers in 304 drought-hit talukas before Diwali

The state Cabinet has approved an advance aid of Rs 5,000 each for 1.5 crore farmers in 304 drought-affected talukas before Diwali. The Cabinet meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The amount will be credited directly to the farmers' bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

The Cabinet also approved Rs 7,500 crore for this aid, thereby clearing the arrangement of funds needed to pay the advance to 1.5 crore farmers.

The state government is taking several steps to deal with the drought. As part of these, work on the aid to be given to drought-hit farmers on the basis of a survey is being taken forward. The process of classifying crops and finalising area-wise details has begun.

Meanwhile, ahead of the coming Diwali festival, an advance of Rs 5,000 has been announced for farmers in the 304 talukas declared drought-hit, to give them relief. Under the decision, all farmers in these talukas whose crops have suffered damage of more than 33 per cent will receive the amount.

The advance will be credited to the accounts of all eligible farmers through the DBT system. On e-KYC, it has been clarified that farmers who have completed e-KYC under various government schemes between November 1, 2025 and now will not have to do it again.

Some farmers hold forest land leases (pattas) and have not yet received the AgriStack Farmer ID. Such farmers will be paid the advance on the basis of e-KYC alone.

In all, the advance aid will be credited to the accounts of 1.5 crore farmers in the 304 drought-affected talukas, for which funds of Rs 7,500 crore are required. The Cabinet has approved the arrangement of these funds. The process of finalising the details of the survey-based aid is continuing separately.