With unseasonal rains hitting the farmers of Maharashtra hard over the last weekend, the State government has assured quick damage assessment and aid disbursal.
“We are already in the process of disbursing aid to farmers affected by drought and recent hailstorms; 90 lakh farmers will benefit from it. We have already disbursed aid to 50 lakh farmers,” Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told reporters here on Monday.
On the recent unseasonal rain, he said Yavatmal was the worst-affected district. “According to preliminary assessment, a total area of 17,000 hectares has been damaged due to these rains. Three persons died after being hit by lightning on Sunday.”
The government will give Rs. 5,000 crore in direct aid to farmers hit by drought, hailstorm and unseasonal rain.
The unseasonal rains are likely to add a burden of Rs. 1,000 crore on the state exchequer.
Mr. Fadnavis said the government will take a loan if required, but will give aid to farmers.
“I don’t claim that we have the capacity to reimburse the farmers. But we will at least make sure that the farmers are able to pull through for the next sowing season.”
These factors are likely to put the State budget under stress.
The Maharashtra government has already sought a package of Rs. 4,000 crore from the Central government, to aid the farmers.
