Maharashtra issues GR announcing Rs 3.5 k-crore aid to farmers who lost kharif crops

The state government on Thursday issued orders for providing Rs3,578.43 crore financial assistance to drought-affected farmers in Maharashtra who lost kharif crops last year. This assistance would be provided for all crops, except cotton for which a separate survey would be conducted.

The revenue department has issued a GR in this regard, which states that there are 15,747 villages from 21 districts affected due to drought. It has made clear that 7/12 extract and the record of crops would be considered for assistance, provided the farmer has gone for the crop damage panchnama from the officials concerned.

Out of these Rs3,578.43 crore, Rs314.56 crore would be given for various water supply schemes, while Rs109.84 crore would be given for cattle camps. The state government has made it clear that since the criterion for crop damage has been relaxed from the previous 50% to 33%. Any farmer having suffered crop damage of 33% or above will be given financial assistance.