Yavatmal farmers unhappy over talk of Rs 5,000 drought aid each

Farmers in Yavatmal have suffered heavy losses because of the vagaries of nature, and many face a financial crisis running to lakhs of rupees. Amid talk that the government will give each farmer Rs 5,000 in aid, resentment has spread among them.

Farmers are asking how they will get relief if losses run to lakhs and the aid is meagre.

There is currently talk that the state government will give drought-hit farmers financial aid of Rs 5,000 each. However, an official announcement and clear information on implementation are needed. Farmers are also uncertain whether they will receive compensation under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (crop insurance scheme) and, if so, when.

Ministers had earlier said that the government would not let farmers' Diwali be dark and was committed to giving them relief. Revenue and agriculture department staff and village-level officials and employees had also been directed to visit farm boundaries, survey the damage, and submit an inquiry report to the government.

Given the severity of this year's drought, the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Ministers, the Revenue Minister, the Agriculture Minister, and the guardian ministers, MPs and MLAs of various districts visited farmland to inspect it. The state government then completed the required process and declared a drought. Assurances were also given at the time that farmers would receive substantial financial aid.

The officials and employees concerned visited the fields, collected the necessary information from farmers and had various applications and forms filled in. Even so, it is still not clear when the process will be completed and the aid actually received. This has created confusion among farmers. Questions are being asked whether the reports are stuck in government offices or the distribution of aid is being delayed.

The question is whether the aid will be adequate compared with farmers' losses of lakhs. There is an expectation that the government, mindful of the plight of drought-hit farmers, will promptly announce a clear position on the aid and credit it to farmers' bank accounts.

There is a demand that the government take firm decisions and give immediate help instead of leaving farmers in financial distress with only assurances. It is also being said that affected farmers need to receive proper compensation, crop insurance and the benefits of other government schemes on time.