Drought relief of Rs 5,000 each reaches 1.51 lakh farmers' accounts in Wardha

Drought-hit farmers in Wardha district have begun to receive relief from the government. Rs 5,000 had been announced for every farmer's account before Diwali, and the money is now reaching the accounts. Since Monday, the amount has been credited to farmers' Aadhaar-linked bank accounts across the district.

Rainfall was low this year and groundwater reserves were also low. As a result, drought conditions developed in the district and drought was declared in all talukas. The shortfall in rain also hit kharif crops.

Rainfall fell short this year because of the El Nino effect. Cotton, soyabean, tur and other crops suffered. Farmers' yields dropped in most areas. Rabi and summer crops are also expected to be badly affected. The government has declared a drought situation and started relief measures, which include several forms of aid.

To give immediate support to farmers troubled by the drought, the government had announced that Rs 5,000 would be deposited in every farmer's account before Diwali. At the taluka and district levels, the accounts of 1,88,197 farmers have been approved so far. Of these, Rs 5,000 each has been credited to 1.51 lakh accounts, a total of Rs 75.50 crore.

The aid is being paid directly into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, giving farmers financial support. However, the money has not yet reached the accounts of all the farmers approved so far. It is hoped that the remaining eligible farmers will also get help as soon as possible. The aid is considered important for making up the losses suffered in the kharif season because of low rain.

The taluka-wise position of the amounts credited is as follows. In Arvi, Rs 8.59 crore went to 17,197 farmers. In Ashti, 11,525 farmers received Rs 5.76 crore. In Deoli, Rs 9.79 crore reached the accounts of 19,582 farmers. In Hinganghat, 28,091 farmers received Rs 14.04 crore. In Samudrapur, Rs 13.10 crore was credited to the accounts of 26,202 farmers. In Seloo, 17,896 farmers received Rs 8.94 crore. In Wardha taluka, Rs 7.55 crore reached the accounts of 15,107 farmers.