Maharashtra Govt To Pay ₹5,000 Advance Aid To Eligible Drought-Hit Farmers Before Diwali

News india Maharashtra Govt To Pay ₹5,000 Advance Aid To Eligible Drought-Hit Farmers Before Diwali

Last Updated:October 27, 2026, 21:28 IST

The assistance is intended for farmers who suffered crop losses exceeding 33% during the 2026 kharif season.

The Maharashtra government has approved ₹7,500 crore in advance relief for eligible farmers in 304 drought-hit talukas, with ₹5,000 per registered farmer set to be transferred directly into bank accounts till this weekend.

The assistance is intended for farmers who suffered crop losses exceeding 33% during the 2026 kharif season. Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Jadhav-Patil said the decision was cleared at a state Cabinet meeting, and a government resolution has been issued. The government estimates that around 1.5 crore farmers could benefit from the package. The actual number of beneficiaries will depend on eligibility checks and the verification of farmer records.

The revised assistance marks a significant increase from the earlier minimum advance relief of ₹1,000. The government has also changed the basis for calculating the payment, replacing the family unit with the registered farmer as the criterion. This means eligible registered farmers will be assessed individually, subject to the prescribed conditions.

Farmer ID To Determine Eligibility

Payments will be made through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), using Farmer ID details available under the Agriculture Department’s AgriStack system.

Farmers who completed e-KYC for any government scheme between November 1, 2025, and October 27, 2026, will not have to repeat the process. Forest land title holders who do not have a Farmer ID will be considered for assistance through e-KYC, according to the government announcement.

However, the relief will not be available to everyone. Disqualification provisions will apply to specified categories, including current and former ministers, MPs, MLAs and members of local bodies. Government and public-sector employees, as well as staff of aided institutions, with combined monthly salaries exceeding ₹25,000 are also covered by the exclusion criteria.

Individuals paying income tax on non-agricultural income and pensioners receiving more than ₹25,000 a month will also be subject to the prescribed restrictions. Ex-servicemen are exempt from the pension-related exclusion, while seasonal sugar factory workers have been excluded from the disqualification provisions applicable to employees.

Regular Crop Compensation To Be Separate

The government has directed district collectors to ensure that banks do not divert the relief amount towards loan repayments or other recoveries. District administrations will also publish beneficiary lists and payment details on their official websites after the disbursement. The ₹5,000 payment is advance assistance and will not replace regular crop-loss compensation. Farmers will remain eligible for separate compensation under the applicable norms, subject to verification and eligibility.

The immediate priority is to get money into farmers’ accounts ahead of Diwali, as crop losses and drought conditions have placed additional pressure on rural households. The effectiveness of the package will depend on how quickly payments reach eligible farmers and whether those who qualify are able to access the assistance without administrative delays.

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Mayuresh Ganapatye

Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @...Read More

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