Maharashtra to give drought-hit farmers Rs 5,000 advance aid before Diwali, by November 4

Deficient rain this year has put farming in thousands of villages across the state in trouble. Losses in the kharif season have deepened farmers' worries. With Diwali near, the state government has decided to give financial support to drought-hit farmers.

An advance aid of Rs 5,000 will be credited directly to the account of every eligible farmer. Agriculture Minister Dattatray Bharne said the amount would be received before November 4. He was speaking to the media. Farmers had been keen to know when exactly the aid would arrive. The way is now clear for the money to reach them during Diwali itself.

Drought-like conditions have arisen in many districts as the state did not receive the expected rain. The shortfall in rain has hit agriculture and left farmers in financial difficulty. The state government has taken this decision on its own, without waiting for aid from the Centre.

According to the agriculture minister, nearly 92 lakh farmers in the drought-hit talukas will benefit. Rs 5,000 will be credited to each farmer's bank account on the basis of the farmer's AgriStack number. No time-consuming and complicated e-KYC will be needed for this aid, which is likely to bring farmers relief. The chances of delay in aid because of paperwork will also be reduced.

While conducting panchnamas in the drought-hit areas, the AgriStack numbers and bank account details of the farmers concerned were collected. The same information will now be used to transfer the aid directly to their accounts.

After the state government's advance aid of Rs 5,000, the remaining compensation will be distributed once funds are received from the Centre. Bharne clarified that further compensation would reach farmers after aid comes from the Centre's disaster relief fund.

Meanwhile, the state government has for now cut the funds of every department by 20 per cent. The money made available by this cut will be used to give aid to the drought-hit and for drought relief measures. Given water shortages, crop losses and difficulties in rural areas, this fund will be important.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had initially declared drought in 265 talukas. The number was later raised, and drought has now been declared in a total of 305 talukas in the state. The government plans to give eligible farmers in these areas Rs 5,000 each before Diwali. Panchnamas of the losses are currently under way in these areas.

Drought hits not only crops. In rural areas, the problem of drinking water and of fodder and water for livestock also becomes serious. The government is therefore taking steps on these problems as well. The emphasis is on providing drinking water to people in drought-hit areas and arranging fodder and water for livestock.