States » WestPosted at: Oct 17 2026 8:22PM


Maha: Fadnavis hits out at opposition, says affluent leaders fail to grasp value of Rs 5,000 farmer aid

Wardha, Oct 17 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday defended the state government's decision to provide Rs 5,000 as advance assistance to drought-hit farmers, saying those accustomed to luxurious lifestyles could hardly appreciate the significance of such financial support.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 17th convocation of the Adani Institute of Higher Education and Research at Sawangi in Wardha district, where he was conferred a D.Litt. degree, Fadnavis said the state had taken an unprecedented step by extending interim relief to farmers at this stage of the year.
He maintained that farmers had not received such assistance before December in previous years and said the government had worked out a mechanism to release the initial amount despite procedural constraints under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
The chief minister had announced on Wednesday that Rs 5,000 would be transferred directly to farmers' bank accounts before Diwali, following the inclusion of 40 additional talukas in the drought-hit category. With this, the number of affected talukas in Maharashtra rose to 305 out of a total of 358.
The announcement drew criticism from Opposition parties, which questioned whether the amount would be sufficient for farmers to celebrate the festival.
Fadnavis said that under the earlier system, farmers with small landholdings would have received as little as Rs 1,000 initially.
The advance assistance would now ensure that even those with the smallest holdings received at least Rs 5,000, with the balance to be paid subsequently as compensation was released, he said.
Comparing Maharashtra's assistance with that provided in neighbouring Karnataka, ruled by the Congress, Fadnavis said farmers there had received only Rs 2,500 despite the state facing severe drought conditions.
He also took a swipe at Congress leaders who had earlier questioned Maharashtra's failure to issue a Government Resolution (GR) on the relief, citing Karnataka's order, saying they had stopped raising the issue.
Acknowledging the difficulties faced by the farming community, Fadnavis said the amount was modest in comparison with farmers' losses but expressed confidence that it would offer some immediate support.
Drawing a parallel with the Ladki Bahin scheme, he said the Opposition had similarly ridiculed the monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 provided to women beneficiaries. However, the beneficiaries understood its importance, just as farmers recognised the value of the Rs 5,000 relief, he added.
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Tags: #Maha: Fadnavis hits out at opposition# says affluent leaders fail to grasp value of Rs 5#000 farmer aid
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