Even as the Maharashtra government announced a ₹31,628-crore relief package for flood-affected farmers on Tuesday, several farmers’ organisations expressed dissatisfaction, calling the aid inadequate and demanding a comprehensive loan waiver.According to the government’s announcement, farmers whose fields have suffered complete soil erosion will receive compensation of ₹3.5 lakh per hectare. Those holding non-irrigated land will get ₹8,500 per hectare, while irrigated landholders are entitled to ₹22,500 per hectare.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the package as one of the largest ever offered by the state for farmers, assuring that “the government will stand firmly with the farming community and extend all possible support.” However, opposition parties have demanded that the government increase the compensation to ₹50,000 per hectare and officially declare a “wet drought” across affected regions. The government has rejected the idea, stating that such a concept “does not exist” in official terminology.
