The Chief Minister cited technical issues related to banking for delays in some cases: Reports
MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said that Rs 5,000 in advance drought relief had been credited to the bank accounts of 73 lakh farmers ahead of Diwali. The remaining eligible beneficiaries are expected to receive the amount within the next two days, taking the coverage to nearly 95 per cent.
The Chief Minister cited technical issues related to banking for delays in some cases. He also said that Rs 4,764 crore in loan waiver benefits had been transferred to 4.86 lakh farmers under the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Loan Waiver Scheme, including 2.76 lakh farmers from Marathwada.
The Chief Minister also directed his colleagues and ministers to celebrate Diwali with farmers by visiting the homes of distressed farmers across the state. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal slammed the BJP-led Mahayuti government, accusing it of mocking farmers. Mr Sapkal also challenged the Chief Minister to show how farmers could celebrate Diwali with Rs 5,000.
Last week, the State Cabinet approved financial assistance of Rs 5,000 for each farmer and made provision for an expenditure of Rs 7,500 crore towards advance assistance for 1.5 crore farmers in drought-affected talukas across the state.
Farmers who have suffered crop losses of more than 33 per cent due to drought during the current kharif season are eligible for the assistance without any conditions. Maharashtra has been facing a drought more severe than that of 1972. Of the 358 talukas in the state, 304 have already been declared drought-affected. The State Government announced 12 relief measures and concessions for farmers, agricultural labourers, students, livestock owners and other affected residents.
Speaking to reporters after the Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister said that 21 lakh farmers had so far received loan waiver benefits. Around Rs 21,000 crore had been deposited into farmers’ accounts under the loan waiver scheme. The list of beneficiaries is being verified. Once the list is certified, the money will be credited to the farmers’ accounts. “The BJP-led Mahayuti government is standing firmly with the farmers and providing them with financial assistance,” Mr Fadnavis said.
He said that the Cabinet had also discussed the proposal for all ministers to celebrate Diwali with farmers. “We will try to celebrate Diwali with the farmers by visiting their homes,” he said.
The Maharashtra Congress president accused the State Government of failing to provide timely relief to drought-hit farmers. He also criticised the Rs 5,000 assistance, calling it inadequate and an insult to farmers struggling with rising inflation. Challenging Mr Fadnavis to explain how a farming family could celebrate Diwali with such a small amount, Mr Sapkal accused the government of shirking its responsibility to provide compensation of Rs 1 lakh per hectare to drought-affected farmers.
The Congress chief also alleged that the government was working only for a handful of industrialists and had no concern for farmers or the common people.
