Farmers who do not need it should return the ₹5,000 assistance: Minister Girish Mahajan

Maharashtra's Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan on Saturday appealed to those economically well-off farmers who do not require government assistance to return the ₹5,000 received as drought relief to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. According to a report by India Today, this voluntarily returned amount will provide more support to farmers facing severe crop damage.

The state government had recently announced an advance assistance of ₹5,000 for eligible farmers in drought-hit areas before Diwali. Speaking to journalists in Jalgaon district, Minister Mahajan stated that those who do not need this money should voluntarily return the ₹5,000 and consider it a contribution towards helping needy farmers. He added that his appeal is directed at every economically well-off individual.

Mahajan told PTI that on Saturday morning, some farmers from his constituency and party workers met him and expressed their desire to return this assistance as they do not need it. Approximately 50 farmers expressed their intention to return the amount as they were financially secure and had other sources of income. Mahajan further said that he would appeal to people to stand firmly with our food-provider farmers in such difficult times and provide financial assistance through the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, and he would personally meet people to request them in this regard.

On 27 October, the Devendra Fadnavis government had approved assistance of ₹7,500 crore for farmers in 304 drought-hit talukas. Farmers whose crops had suffered more than 33 per cent damage were eligible for this relief, which was to be transferred directly into their bank accounts. Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Jadav Patil stated on Friday that, according to a PTI report, by 5 November, the state government has transferred ₹4,372.83 crore into the bank accounts of 87,45,669 farmers. The process of providing assistance to the remaining eligible beneficiaries is ongoing, while officials are working to resolve technical issues and discrepancies in bank account details that had caused delays in some payments. This assistance is part of the Maharashtra government's response to drought and crop damage during the Kharif season.

Girish Mahajan was serving as the Disaster Management Minister in the Maharashtra government.