Maharashtra credits Rs 5,000 drought aid to farmers before Diwali, Fadnavis orders balance paid

Farmers in Maharashtra have received relief just ahead of Diwali. To deal with the drought, the government had announced Rs 5,000 for every farmer and said the amount would be paid before Diwali. Accordingly, Rs 5,000 each will be credited to farmers' accounts today and tomorrow. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has issued the order.

The state is facing a severe drought. In view of this, the state government had announced Rs 5,000 as an advance to farmers without waiting for help from the Centre. Fadnavis himself had said the amount would be paid before Diwali. Distribution had already begun.

It was being said that the Chief Minister would order the remaining payments at today's Cabinet meeting. But even before that, he ordered that the balance be deposited in farmers' accounts.

So far, Rs 5,000 has reached the accounts of 73 lakh farmers. Fadnavis has ordered that the remaining farmers' accounts be credited today and tomorrow. Diwali begins tomorrow, and the money arriving before it has given farmers considerable comfort. The Chief Minister has also directed all ministers to celebrate Diwali with farmers.

Meanwhile, the state government has declared drought in 305 tehsils of the state. Fadnavis had made the announcement. Panchnamas (damage assessments) for all farmers have been completed, and on that basis the government has sent the Centre a proposal of Rs 40,000 crore. All eyes are now on how many crores the Centre will give the state as a package.

The government has also arranged fodder and water for farmers' livestock. Fodder will be purchased from Sindhudurg. The government has also made clear that farmers who have water available should grow fodder crops, and the government will buy that fodder.