Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that financial assistance of Rs 11,000 crore has been approved and will be released to flood-affected farmers in the state within the next fifteen days. On Tuesday, during the state cabinet meeting, a section of ministers brought to the notice of the government that monetary assistance is not reaching the affected farmers.
It was in this cabinet meeting chaired by Fadnavis that the release of Rs 11,000 crore within fifteen days was announced. Of the total relief package for flood-affected farmers, amounting to Rs 31,628 crore, Rs 8000 crore has already been disbursed. “A total of 40 lakh farmers have received assistance. The government is committed to supporting farmers and stands firmly with those affected due to heavy rains. In the next 15 days, aid will reach at least 90 per cent of farmers in the affected districts,” Fadnavis asserted.
Earlier this month, the state cabinet had approved a R31,628 crore relief package for flood-affected farmers. At the time, the government had assured that the financial assistance would be disbursed before Diwali. However, Fadnavis recently informed a section of the media that around 60 per cent of the relief package has been disbursed.
The delay in disbursement of assistance was discussed in the cabinet meeting held on Tuesday. Heavy rains had damaged houses, livestock and crops in Marathwada, Vidarbha, North and Western Maharashtra regions. According to the government, 29 out of the 36 districts and 253 talukas suffered due to excessive rainfall, affecting scores of people.
Clarifying the reason for the delay, a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office mentioned that some payments were delayed due to technical errors in bank accounts or mismatched and multiple bank account records. “Every affected farmer will get relief. But to ensure that no ineligible person gets the funds, e-KYC verification is being done,” the statement read, and further mentioned that farmers who have received compensation only for two hectares of land will get assistance for the remaining area as well.
Other developments at the meeting
– Amendment to Maharashtra Municipal Act approved so that candidates elected to reserved seats in general or by-elections of municipal corporations or councils and other local body polls will get six months to submit their Caste Validity Certificate; the elections are expected to be held before January 31, 2026, as per Supreme Court orders.
– Setting up of separate cell called Vision Maharashtra Unit (VMU) to implement `Vision Maharashtra 2047` approved.
