By | Arvind Jadhav
Mumbai : In one of the largest aid measures in recent years, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a ₹31,628-crore package for farmers devastated by floods and unseasonal rains. The heavy downpour affected nearly 29 districts, destroying crops across 68 lakh hectares of farmland.
The government will provide ₹47,000 per hectare cash assistance along with ₹3,00,000 through NREGA for crop loss. Irrigated farmers will receive up to ₹32,500 per hectare in total support. Additional compensation includes ₹30,000 for damaged wells, ₹32,000 for lost livestock, and ₹50,000 aid for small shopkeepers.
The relief plan also covers loan restructuring, electricity bill waivers, and school fee concessions for affected families. Chief Minister Fadnavis assured that disbursement will begin before Diwali, to ensure farmers are ready for the upcoming Rabi season.
🟡 Fadnavis on the Crisis
CM Fadnavis stated that the floods and heavy rains caused extensive damage not only to crops but also to houses and farmlands. He emphasized that in several areas, soil erosion and waterlogging have made it impossible to plant Rabi crops.
He said, “Our priority is to help farmers stand on their feet again and recover from this natural disaster.”
🟡 Opposition Raises Questions
The announcement has triggered sharp political reactions. The opposition has welcomed the relief but questioned the timing, adequacy, and implementation of the package.
🟡 Congress Slams Delay in Relief
State Congress leaders alleged that the government acted too late, despite early warnings of heavy rainfall. They accused the administration of bureaucratic delays and demanded immediate cash transfers instead of staged disbursement.
The Congress party also demanded that the government increase compensation to ₹50,000 per hectare, supply free seeds and fertilizers for the next sowing season, and waive loans for small and marginal farmers.
🟡 Uddhav Thackeray’s Sharp Attack
Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray criticized the government for not declaring a “wet drought”, a term used to describe crop loss due to excessive rain. He reminded the government that Fadnavis himself had once demanded this classification while in opposition, calling the current stand a contradiction.
Thackeray also called the ₹31,628-crore aid “insufficient” and demanded higher compensation and full farm loan waivers. He said the government should focus on relief, not wordplay.
🟡 Sharad Pawar Criticizes Delay
Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) chief Sharad Pawar accused the state government of delaying proposals to the Centre, which resulted in slower financial aid. He said Maharashtra could have secured central assistance sooner if the state had acted on time.
Pawar also objected to the government’s idea of collecting money from sugar mills and private industries for the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, calling it an unfair burden on the rural sector. He urged the government to fund relief directly from the state budget instead.
🟡 Opposition Unity and Street Protests
Opposition parties including Congress, NCP (SP), and Shiv Sena (UBT) have announced joint demonstrations across Maharashtra demanding faster aid distribution and transparent compensation lists.
Leaders have warned that if farmers do not receive timely compensation, large-scale protests will be organized before the end of the month. They also criticized the government for using political photos on relief kits, calling it an attempt to gain publicity from tragedy.
🟡 Public Outlook and Way Forward
While the relief package brings hope to lakhs of farmers, the political storm around its handling continues to intensify. The coming weeks will determine whether the funds reach beneficiaries efficiently or get trapped in red tape.For Maharashtra’s rural heartland, this package represents more than numbers — it’s about restoring livelihoods, rebuilding trust, and reviving the spirit of agriculture.
