By | Arvind Jadhav
Mumbai : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday announced a massive relief package for farmers affected by heavy and unseasonal rains across the state. The government has sanctioned ₹2,215 crore, of which ₹1,829 crore has already reached district administrations, while the remaining will be credited directly to farmers’ accounts within the next 8–10 days.
This year, Maharashtra has recorded 102% above average rainfall — around 975.5 mm so far — leading to widespread soil erosion, damaged crops, and flooding in several districts. According to official figures, nearly 31.64 lakh farmers are expected to benefit from the compensation scheme.
⭕ Immediate Relief, Not Delayed Packages
Fadnavis clarified that the government will not wait for all loss assessment reports (panchanamas) to be completed. Instead, assistance will be released immediately after each survey is finished in a taluka or district, ensuring farmers get timely support.
Local district collectors have also been empowered to sanction compensation in cases of crop loss, house damage, livestock deaths, and even accidental fatalities caused by the rains.
⭕ Flood Situation in Marathwada
The Marathwada region has been hit particularly hard. In Beed and Dharashiv districts, NDRF and SDRF rescue teams are carrying out large-scale operations. So far, 27 people have been airlifted, and more than 200 residents have been shifted to safer places.
Heavy downpours have claimed at least eight lives across parts of Ahmednagar, Beed, Parbhani, Jalgaon, and Solapur, while several others have been injured.
⭕ Debate on ‘Wet Drought’
Opposition parties and farmer groups are demanding that the state officially declare a “wet drought”, which would enable higher compensation limits and relaxed eligibility criteria. While Fadnavis stopped short of such a declaration, he assured that the government is open to revising norms for lands severely eroded by waterlogging and floods.
He also urged political parties not to “play politics over disaster” and promised that the state will act without delay, even before central aid arrives.
⭕ On-Ground Visits
Cabinet ministers and guardian ministers will begin touring affected areas from Wednesday, while the Chief Minister himself is scheduled to visit badly hit regions to monitor relief distribution and ensure that no obstacles delay support.
