The Maharashtra government has said it will deposit Rs 5,000 directly into the bank accounts of farmers before Diwali. The move is described as an initial financial assistance intended to prevent a lean celebration for rural households. Officials frame the cash transfer as part of a broader effort to ensure that farmers do not face financial difficulties during the festival period.
On the same day the aid was announced, the state declared that 85 percent of its talukas are drought‑hit. In concrete terms, 305 out of the total 358 talukas have been placed under drought status. This figure emerged after an initial declaration covering 265 talukas, to which an additional 40 talukas were later added. The government has therefore extended drought relief to the full set of 305 talukas.
Relief before the festival of lights. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced ₹5,000 in interim financial assistance for farmers ahead of Diwali. The announcement comes after the state declared a drought. According to Fadnavis, central assistance isn’t expected to arrive before the festival, so the state government is stepping in with interim help. For farmers facing a hard season, it is a small support at a time when families get ready to celebrate. #Maharashtra #DevendraFadnavis #FarmersRelief #Diwali #Drought
The cash transfer is aimed at a large beneficiary base. Officials estimate that between one and eight crore farmers could receive the Rs 5,000 payment, which would translate into an estimated expenditure of roughly Rs 6,000 crore for the state treasury. The amount is to be credited ahead of Diwali, providing farmers with liquidity to meet festival‑related expenses.
5 horsepower, a measure designed to lower the cost of irrigation during the dry spell.
Alongside the direct aid, the administration has removed restrictions on educational fee waivers for the children of farmers, allowing families to continue schooling without financial barriers. Banks have received strict warnings against engaging in coercive loan recoveries, a step intended to protect indebted farmers from aggressive collection practices. Furthermore, the government is working to ensure free electricity for agricultural pumps rated up to 7.5 horsepower, a measure designed to lower the cost of irrigation during the dry spell.
"WE WILL STAND FIRMLY WITH OUR FARMERS": MAHARASHTRA DCM EKNATH SHINDE – Full compensation and drought relief concessions guaranteed to affected farmers. – Shiv Sena takes responsibility for mass marriage ceremonies for daughters of farmers. – Distributed 25,000 bicycles to farmers' daughters and 25,000 sewing machines to women in Marathwada to mark 25 years of PM Modi’s public service. – State government and party vow unwavering support to ensure farmers' Diwali is not dimmed.
The state’s response also invokes the Farmers’ Code, with officials emphasizing the use of administrative powers to address drought‑related challenges. In addition, the government has extended the standard suite of 12 drought relief concessions to the talukas now classified as drought‑hit. These concessions cover a range of supports, from seed subsidies to fodder assistance, and are being rolled out in parallel with the cash transfer.
All of these actions were announced on 2026‑10‑14. On that date the government announced the Rs 5,000 cash transfer to farmers. Simultaneously, it declared drought in 265 talukas and then added 40 more talukas to the list, bringing the total to 305. The same day, officials reported that 3.5 lakh farmers had been processed for debt relief payments, with an additional 3.5 lakh farmers slated for similar processing. A supplementary government resolution (GR) was also issued to formalize the drought relief package.
☑️Total 24 lakh 67 thousand Farmers are added in the list of drought relief package @Dev_Fadnavis ji as a CM is kind and generous enough to add more beneficiaries if found ☑️ Third list is declared recently with 3 lakh 51 thousand addition No Farmer should. remain alone in his / her problem That's the government of Maharashtra
As the festival approaches, the state is attempting to combine immediate cash support with longer‑term safeguards such as debt relief, educational fee waivers, banking conduct guidelines and subsidized electricity for pumps. The Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, has pledged that farmers will not experience a lean Diwali, while the administration stresses that the measures are meant to deliver initial financial assistance ahead of the celebrations.
