Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced Rs 5,000 in interim financial assistance for farmers ahead of Diwali. The state government plans to provide this relief to help farmers manage their expenses during the festive season. Poor rainfall has affected agricultural activities across several parts of Maharashtra. As a result, many farmers face financial difficulties and lower crop production. The government has promised to transfer the assistance to farmers’ bank accounts before Diwali.
Rs 5,000 Financial Assistance Before Diwali
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the decision during a press briefing on Wednesday. He acknowledged that many farmers may struggle to celebrate Diwali because of poor crop yields and financial pressure. Therefore, the state government has decided to provide ₹5,000 as interim relief. Fadnavis said the government had discussed the situation and decided to offer assistance ahead of the festival. This announcement aims to provide timely financial support to affected farming families.
Fadnavis said the government would transfer the ₹5,000 assistance to farmers’ accounts before Diwali. He also confirmed that authorities had started crediting loan waiver benefits to eligible farmers. Normally, the government provides this type of assistance in December. However, the state has decided to release the relief earlier this year because of the drought situation. The government hopes the early payment will help farmers meet essential expenses during the festive period.
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Drought Declared in 305 Talukas
The chief minister also announced an expansion of the state’s drought declaration. Maharashtra has now declared drought in 305 talukas, compared with the earlier figure of 265 talukas. The increase reflects the growing impact of insufficient rainfall across the state. Farmers in these areas face challenges related to crop production and agricultural income. The government has announced the additional relief as part of its response to the difficult conditions.
Maharashtra has also reported a shortage of drinking water in several areas following inadequate rainfall this year. The rainfall deficit has affected both farming activities and water availability for local communities. Farmers depend on sufficient water supplies to protect their crops and maintain agricultural production. The drought conditions have increased concerns about rural livelihoods and household expenses. The ₹5,000 interim assistance aims to provide some financial relief to farmers ahead of Diwali.