Maharashtra drought: Farmer sends money order of ₹5,000 to CM over ‘paltry’ interim aid by govt.

The State government added 40 more talukas to the drought-hit list, taking the total number of affected sub-divisions in Maharashtra to 305 out of 358. File | Photo Credit: Reuters Upset over 'paltry' interim financial assistance announced by the Maharashtra government for drought-hit farmers, a soybean cultivator from Dharashiv district has sent a money order of ₹5,000 to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as a mark of protest.Mr. Fadnavis announced on Wednesday (October 14) that an initial relief of ₹5,000 will be deposited directly into farmers' bank accounts ahead of Diwali, a move that comes after over 85% of talukas in Maharashtra were declared drought-hit.The State government added 40 more talukas to the drought-hit list, taking the total number of affected sub-divisions in Maharashtra to 305 out of 358.Mr. Fadnavis had said that the decision to transfer ₹5,000 to farmers was made to provide urgent support before the upcoming festival, as complete administrative evaluations and Central assessment procedures take time and cannot legally conclude before Diwali.Chand Shaikh, a farmer from Surdi village in Dharashiv tehsil, said he had sent a money order of ₹5,000 to the Chief Minister.Mr. Shaikh claimed he earned mere ₹3,900 from his soybean yield and borrowed ₹1,100 from a friend to send the money order."I cultivated a soybean crop on 1.5 acres of my farm. I spent ₹25,000 and received a 60-kg yield. I could earn just ₹3,900. I borrowed ₹1,100 from my friend to send the money order," Mr. Shaikh told reporters outside Surdi post office.A man claiming to be the farmer's friend said he lent ₹1,100 to Mr. Shaikh. Published - October 17, 2026 01:50 pm IST