- CM Fadnavis announced Rs 5,000 Diwali bonus for farmers.
- Assistance to be credited before Diwali due to drought.
- Drought declared in 305 Maharashtra talukas, affecting farmers.
Maharashtra Farmers 5000 Diwali Bonus: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday announced that an interim assistance of Rs 5,000 will be provided to the farmers of the state ahead of Diwali. This comes as a major relief for the famers as a large part of Maharashtra has witnessed drought due to the less rainfall. While speaking to the reporters, the chief minister assured that the amount will be credited to their accounts before Diwali.
Diwali Bonus For Farmers
During his press briefing, Fadnavis acknowledged that the coming festival season is going to be difficult for the farmers due to poor crop productivity. He further stated that Diwali bonus will be provided to the farmers, adding that even the loan waiver amount is also being credited to their accounts.
"This Diwali is going to be difficult for farmers. It will be difficult for them to manage during Diwali. Considering this situation, we have discussed and decided to provide assistance to farmers in the coming days. We have decided to give Rs 5,000 to farmers as a Diwali bonus," the chief minister was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
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'Loan Amount Being Credited'
"This amount should reach the farmers' accounts before Diwali. The loan waiver amount is also being credited to their accounts," Fadnavis added. The chief minister further stated that while the amount is usually transferred in December, the farmers will get the assistance in advance this year. "We have checked old records; normally help is given in December. But this time we have declared drought in advance," he said.
Fadnavis, in a major update, also announced that the state had declared drought in 305 talukas, an increase from the previously declared 265 talukas. The western state, due to less rainfall this year, is also facing a shortage of drinking water this year.