Centre raises NDRF aid for crop loss, deaths, livestock and homes; state cabinet nod awaited

There is relief in store for Maharashtra's farmers, who are battling drought and natural calamities. The Centre has changed the norms for financial assistance given from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). Under the new norms, the compensation for crop losses has been increased.

For rain-fed farmland, the aid is now Rs 11,000 per hectare, up from Rs 8,500. For irrigated farmland, it rises from Rs 17,000 to Rs 22,000. For damage to fruit orchards, the earlier Rs 22,500 has been raised to Rs 30,000 per hectare. Farmers whose crops are destroyed by excess rain, floods or drought could now get more help than before.

The assistance to a family that loses a member in a natural calamity has been doubled. The family of the deceased earlier received Rs 4 lakh and will now receive Rs 8 lakh. Families who have lost a member in a disaster may find some support in this.

The compensation for livestock losses has also gone up. For large animals, namely cows, buffaloes, horses and camels, it rises from Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000. For small animals, namely sheep and pigs, it goes from Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,900. For pack animals such as donkeys and mules, it rises from Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,400. For poultry, up to 100 birds, the aid was Rs 100 per bird and will now be Rs 130.

Aid for damaged houses has changed too. For a fully collapsed house, the amount rises from Rs 1.25 lakh to Rs 1.60 lakh. For houses in inaccessible areas, it goes from Rs 1.30 lakh to Rs 1.70 lakh. The immediate assistance when a house collapses, earlier Rs 5,000, will now be Rs 8,500.

The Centre has provided for the revised norms to apply for five years, from 2026-27 to 2030-31. Implementation is expected from the 2026-27 financial year. Farmers are therefore watching whether the new rates will apply to losses suffered after April 1, 2026.

There is a hurdle, however. The state government must approve the norms at a cabinet meeting before they can be implemented. Whether farmers hit by excess rain after April 1 will get aid at the higher rates depends on that final decision. For actual assistance, the panchnamas of the losses, the eligibility criteria and implementation by the state government will also matter.

According to information available, the state government has sent the Centre a Rs 31,000 crore proposal to help farmers hit by drought and losses. Since the Centre has now changed the norms, the Maharashtra government may have to submit a fresh, revised proposal. It will be important to see what the state decides and when the higher aid begins to be implemented. Farmers hope for relief, but the real benefit will depend on the state's approval, eligibility and the official instructions for distributing the aid.