Chandrapur farmers yet to get drought relief or Rs 5,000 Diwali aid with festival days away

Dhaba: This year's drought has broken farmers' finances, and Diwali is now almost here. Compensation for drought losses has not yet been received. The Rs 5,000 ex gratia aid the government announced has also not been credited to farmers' accounts. Farm families are asking how they are to celebrate the festival, and there is considerable anger among farmers over the government's delay.

The kharif season was hit hardest by the irregular rain this year. Early rain was good enough for sowing, and farmers sowed with great hope. But the rain then took a long break. Crop growth stalled, soil moisture fell, and the crop that was about to be harvested dried up before their eyes.

Hopes of recovering the money spent on seed, fertiliser, pesticide, ploughing and labour have also ended. As a result, farmers are buried under debt.

Considering the severity of the drought, the government declared Chandrapur district drought-affected. This raised hopes that farmers who suffered losses would get financial help. But even after the declaration, the wait for real assistance has not ended. There is no clear information on when the compensation will be paid, which has left farmers confused.

Meanwhile, ahead of Diwali, the government announced ex gratia aid of Rs 5,000 for farmers. Farmers caught in hardship because of the drought had hoped the sum would at least cover festival expenses. But Diwali has come close and the money has still not reached their accounts. The question being asked now is when the announcement will actually bring any benefit.

Diwali means clothes for children, ingredients for festive food, groceries and other expenses. But as farming has brought in no income, arranging even these has become difficult for farmers. On one side is worry over loans taken for farming, and on the other the challenge of celebrating the festival. Farm families are thus caught in a double crisis.

Vinod Durge, a farmer from Kharalpeth, said, "Farmers do not want assurances now, they want real help. The Rs 5,000 that has been announced should be credited to accounts immediately, and proper compensation should be given for the damage the drought has done to crops."

Farmers expect immediate financial help in a time of crisis. They are angrily asking what the point of announcing aid is if the real benefit does not arrive. Farmers are demanding that the Rs 5,000 aid announced before Diwali be distributed at once, and that compensation for drought losses also be paid without delay.