Maharashtra Sanctions Rs 1,356 Crore Diwali Relief Package For Flood-Affected Farmers

Mumbai: In a significant step ahead of the Diwali festival, the Maharashtra government on Friday approved financial assistance of Rs 1.356 billion to farmers whose crops were damaged due to floods in September 2025. The relief package will benefit 21.66 lakh farmers in Satara, Kolhapur, Beed, Dharashiv, Latur, Parbhani and Nanded districts in Marathwada region, an official said.

A Government Order (GR) regarding the payment was issued by the Revenue Department. According to a senior official from the Department of Relief and Rehabilitation, the financial assistance will be transferred directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries before Monday. Additionally, another GR worth Rs 400 crore is expected to be issued later tonight or on Saturday to provide further relief to distressed farmers in the Marathwada region.

Heavy rains and floods in September wreaked havoc in central Marathwada as well as parts of Western Maharashtra, leading to widespread crop destruction and soil erosion. Responding to the crisis, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on October 7 announced a comprehensive relief package worth Rs 31.628 billion to support over 60 lakh farmers affected by the crisis.

The package includes compensation for crop damage, loss of life and property, and soil erosion. It also provides farmers with direct financial assistance as well as concessions that are often extended during drought conditions. Additional assistance includes free payments, assistance for damaged homes, shops and cattle sheds. Calling it an unprecedented move, the Chief Minister described the package as “historic” and claimed that such comprehensive compensation has never been given to farmers in the history of the state.

Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Jadhav Patil stated that the relief package will directly benefit 21.66 lakh farmers who suffered losses in 15.16 lakh agricultural lands in the state. “The government has directed local district administrations to provide immediate assistance to the affected farmers,” he said.

The Minister announced that aid will be given directly to the heirs of those who lost their lives in natural disasters, farmers whose animals were affected, and citizens whose homes were destroyed. “To this end, there will be no need to send proposals to the state government to ensure rapid and efficient distribution of aid,” he added.

According to Mr. Patil, the funds were allocated to the districts based on the extent of damage detected. Beed district received Rs 577.79 crore to 8,06,513 farmers and Dharashiv received Rs 292.49 crore to 4,04,656 farmers. Latur was allocated Rs 202.38 billion to support 4,15,492 farmers and Parbhani received Rs 245.64 billion for 4,39,297 affected farmers. Nanded was given Rs 28.52 crore for 83,267 farmers, Satara was given Rs 6.29 crore for 11,113 farmers and Kolhapur was given Rs 3.18 crore for 5,860 farmers.