Maharashtra Farmers Outraged Over Insufficient Drought Relief of ₹5,000
Farmers in Maharashtra express anger over the governments inadequate drought relief of ₹5,000, calling it an insult amid a severe crisis.
Mumbai, October 14 (Daily Kiran) : The Maharashtra government’s announcement of a ₹5,000 advance drought relief for farmers in 305 affected talukas has sparked intense political backlash and widespread anger among farmers’ organizations. Opposition leaders and the All India Kisan Sabha have criticized the financial aid as inadequate, labeling it a “cruel joke” and an insult to struggling agricultural communities.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Kailash Patil condemned the relief amount, describing it as an “insult and mockery” of farmers facing severe hardships and inflation. Former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and NCP (SP) leaders targeted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, accusing the government of reneging on its initial promise to provide comprehensive support to all affected farmers.
Senior Congress leader and MLA Vijay Wadettiwar launched a sharp attack on the Maharashtra administration, stating that the ₹5,000 relief is akin to pouring salt on the wounds of struggling farmers. He emphasized the gravity of the crisis, noting that farmers are not only grappling with current losses but are also deeply concerned about their survival in the coming year. Many farmers have taken on significant debt from private lenders and financial sources, only to see their crops devastated, leaving them with empty stores and heavy financial burdens.
Wadettiwar questioned the state’s financial priorities, asking how the government could claim a lack of funds for distressed farmers while simultaneously allocating thousands of crores for large projects like the upcoming Kumbh Mela and the Shaktipeeth Expressway. He insisted that securing the blessings of farmers is far more crucial than funding such extravagant projects and urged the Fadnavis-led government to cancel non-essential high-budget initiatives and redirect funds towards adequate financial relief for farmers.
Echoing similar sentiments, the All India Kisan Sabha (AKS) strongly criticized the ₹5,000 advance payment announced by Chief Minister Fadnavis for the 305 drought-hit talukas. In a joint statement released in Mumbai, leading members of the Kisan Sabha pointed out that this paltry sum fails to cover even the basic production costs such as fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, and labor.
Due to aggressive pressure from agricultural suppliers to settle old debts, farmers find themselves trapped in a cycle of debt that seems impossible to escape, especially with the Diwali festival approaching.
