Maharashtra Seeks ₹31,000 Cr From Centre For Drought-Hit Farmers; Crop Losses Exceed 33% Across 14.15 Million Hectares
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government sought around Rs 31,000 crore in financial assistance from the Centre to compensate farmers affected by drought across the state. The proposal, submitted on Saturday, follows a comprehensive assessment that found crop losses exceeding 33 per cent across 14.15 million hectares of farmland in drought-hit areas. The state government will also seek additional…
Mumbai: Maharashtra has requested up to Rs 31,000 crore in financial aid from the central government to support farmers impacted by severe drought conditions. This request follows a thorough analysis revealing that crop losses across 14.15 million hectares of farmland in affected regions have exceeded 33 percent. The state government submitted the proposal on Saturday, aiming to secure the funds to compensate farmers for their losses and aid them in preparing for the Rabi sowing season, which is also in jeopardy due to the ongoing drought.
The assessment encompassed 37,496 villages spread across 304 drought-stricken talukas. Of the 16.6 million hectares under cultivation in these areas, crops from 14.15 million hectares experienced losses surpassing the 33 percent threshold. Last month, the Maharashtra government declared drought in 304 out of 358 talukas following a review of field conditions and the agriculture sector's impact.
A Relief and Rehabilitation Department official explained that the crop-loss assessment was a necessary step before submitting the financial assistance request to the central government. According to existing relief protocols, farmers with crop losses of 33 percent or more qualify for compensation: Rs 8,500 per hectare for rain-fed crops, Rs 17,000 per hectare for crops in assured irrigation zones, and Rs 22,500 per hectare for perennial crops.
Meanwhile, the state government has also initiated a transfer of Rs 5,000 as advance assistance to farmers in the 304 drought-affected talukas, with the aim of ensuring the funds reach beneficiaries before Diwali. The state cabinet had approved this advance payment earlier in the week for approximately 15 million farmers. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis highlighted that it was a first for the state to provide such advance financial relief to farmers before December.
The proposal seeking a larger relief package from the central government is expected to be submitted by October 31.
Written by urgent.news from Free Press Journal's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
