'Declare wet drought, grant Rs 50,000 per hectare aid': Congress demands relief for Maharashtra farmers

With heavy rains over the past few days causing flood-like situation in parts of Maharashtra, state Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal has urged the Devendra Fadnavis-led government to declare a "wet drought" and provide urgent assistance of Rs 50,000 per hectare to the affected farmers.

In the last few days, heavy rains have caused flooding in several parts of the state. Rainwater has entered farmlands, leading to massive crop losses, with standing crops being washed away. It is understood that due to the excessive rainfall, crops over nearly 15 lakh acres have been severely damaged. Considering the current situation in the state, a wet drought should be declared and farmers should be immediately provided assistance of Rs 50,000 per hectare, demanded  Sapkal.

In a letter sent to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Congress state president Harshvardhan Sapkal further stated that nearly 17 districts of Marathwada, Vidarbha, and Western Maharashtra have been severely hit by the rains, while North Maharashtra and Konkan too have suffered significant damage. Crops like jowar, bajra, urad, maize, soybean, moong, cotton, tur, fruits, and vegetables have sustained heavy losses. Thousands of hectares of sugarcane have also been badly affected. 

In some places, farmers’ livestock has been washed away, while in Nanded district, there has even been loss of life. Already struggling farmers have been pushed into a deeper crisis by nature’s fury.

Although the state government has ordered panchanamas (damage assessments), the government must set aside all rules, conditions, and limitations during this difficult period and provide direct relief to farmers. The Congress Party also demands that in cases where there has been loss of life, the families of the victims should be provided assistance with compassion, said Sapkal.

He also demanded that the families of those who lost their lives be provided with compassionate support and relief.  On Tuesday, CM Fadnavis told reporters that crops spread across 12 to 14 lakh acres of land have been damaged due to heavy rains lashing different parts of the state.

With inputs from Dnyanesh Jathar