States » WestPosted at: Nov 4 2026 5:57PM


Maharashtra dedicates Diwali to farmers, announces Rs 5,000 advance aid amid drought: Eknath Shinde

(Read with By10 Welfare Maha Farmer Aid)
Mumbai, Nov 4 (UNI) Reaffirming the state administration's firm support for the farming community amidst severe drought conditions, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced on Wednesday that the Mahayuti government has dedicated this year's Diwali to the state's farmers, initiating the direct benefit transfer (DBT) of Rs 5,000 as immediate advance financial aid into their bank accounts ahead of the festival.
Addressing a press conference here following a state Cabinet meeting, Deputy CM Shinde stated that cabinet ministers have unanimously resolved to celebrate Diwali directly alongside farmers at their crop fields to extend solidarity and re-assure rural households.
"We have officially declared drought across affected regions in Maharashtra. To ensure our farmers celebrate the festival in a dignified way, an advance assistance of Rs 5,000 is being credited directly to their bank accounts," Shinde said. He assured that full financial compensation based on ongoing crop damage assessments (panchanamas) and all government subsidies will follow without administrative delay.
To protect vulnerable farmers from coercive loan recovery practices during drought distress, Deputy CM Shinde announced the establishment of Shiv Sena 'Farmer Help Desks' (Shetkari Madat Kaksh) at the taluka level.
Issuing a stern warning to private moneylenders, microfinance companies, and banks against high-handed recovery tactics, Shinde asserted that harassment of farmers will not be tolerated. He added that party volunteers will actively assist farmers on-field with paperwork, KYC updates, pending panchanamas, and state relief schemes.
Highlighting administrative efforts to boost public healthcare infrastructure, the Deputy Chief Minister welcomed the induction of a large pool of specialist doctors into state government service, aiming to strengthen healthcare delivery across rural and remote regions of Maharashtra. He commended Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar and state health administrators for the recruitment drive.
Launching a trenchant political attack on opposition parties over their "Save Constitution" rallies and rhetoric surrounding "regime change", Shinde termed their stance hypocritical. He stated that taking to the streets against autonomous constitutional bodies, including the Supreme Court and the Election Commission, constitutes a direct insult to the Constitution drafted by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Dismissing comparisons drawn by opposition leaders to political shifts in neighbouring countries, Shinde asserted that India functions under the sovereign mandate of its 140 crore citizens. "The electorate has rejected the opposition three consecutive times in general elections—this is not a 'regime change', but a 'hat-trick of rejections' by the public," Shinde observed.
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