Maharashtra has declared drought in 305 of its 358 talukas, about 85% of the state.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said full assessment procedures cannot be completed before Diwali, so an advance of Rs 5,000 per farmer is being paid first.
The government expedited its procedures to announce relief in October and not in November or December.
Groundwater has fallen sharply, especially in Marathwada, and tankers are being increased.
The final cost and the number of beneficiaries are not yet known.
The state had declared drought in 265 talukas across 32 districts in September and added 40 more, bringing the total to 305, according to NewsDrum.
Farmers in the affected talukas will receive Rs 5,000 each in advance assistance, transferred directly to their bank accounts before Diwali, according to the same reports.
Fadnavis said the full assessment procedures take time and cannot be completed before Diwali, so the advance is being paid ahead of that process, according to the reports.
The government expedited administrative procedures to announce relief in October and not in November or December, as in earlier years, according to the reports.
Fadnavis said, according to NewsDrum, that this Diwali is going to be difficult for farmers.
He said all 12 standard drought concessions will continue in the affected talukas, according to the reports.
These concessions include restructuring of agricultural loans, land revenue concessions, electricity-related relief and assistance for households, according to NewsDrum.
Reports also mention education fee waivers, water tankers and fodder support as part of the relief.
Payments under the state’s farm loan waiver scheme are being credited to beneficiaries’ accounts, according to NewsDrum, which gave no amounts or beneficiary numbers.
Another report says the government has identified 3.5 lakh farmers for the loan waiver scheme, and the process is under way.
Groundwater has fallen sharply, especially in the Marathwada region, according to NewsDrum.
Mantralaya, Mumbai (file image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
