Ministers raise late relief package disbursement for farmers at cabinet meeting

Several ministers pointed out that despite the government’s assurance to provide financial aid to farmers before Diwali, the money was yet to reach their accounts.

“The issue was raised at the cabinet meeting. We were informed that the delay was because some district collectors had gone on leave during Diwali,” a minister said.

The Chief Minister reportedly asked the Chief Secretary to sort the issue. “He also directed that such complaints should not come to him in future,” the minister said.

#WATCH | Nagpur, Maharashtra: Former minister and Prahar Party leader Bacchu Kadu says, “There was a demand for debt relief…The Bhavantar Yojana is currently in place in Madhya Pradesh. There’s nothing here… Not a single crop in Maharashtra is receiving its full price, and… https://t.co/MBMwpSaF0Q pic.twitter.com/ZhHahFJYGv

— ANI (@ANI) October 28, 2025

Speaking to the media after the cabinet meeting Fadnavis said, “Today we reviewed the disbursement of farmers package. Till now Rs 8,000 crore has been directly credited to the bank accounts of 40 lakh farmers. At today’s cabinet meeting, a decision was taken to release Rs 11,000 crore. We have issued directives to district authorities to expedite the disbursement.”

He added that the package was not part of the budget funds but was sanctioned as a special package. He said since there was ready data on farmers available, it was possible to credit the amounts in farmers’ accounts without KYC.

He said that despite issues relating to unclear accounts or deposits taking time, each and every eligible farmer entitled to compensation will get the funds.

Congress Legislative party leader Vijay Wadettiwar said, “This government was boasting that it will deposit the money into farmers’ accounts before Diwali. Now the ministers themselves are exposing the government. The farmers lost their livelihood and life, but the government is busy with infighting.”

What was the package?

In October 2025, the state government had announced a Rs 31,628 crore package for rain affected farmers. The compensation was for loss incurred in crops, livestock, damage to homes and soil erosion.

Under the package, crop damage compensation accounted for Rs 17,675 crore. For dry land farmers, Rs 18,500 per hectare and Rs 27,000 per hectare for seasonal irrigated land was allotted. In case of fully irrigated land, Rs 32,000 per hectare was allotted.

The soil erosion during the floods was unprecedented, and the government promised Rs 47,000 in cash per hectare and an additional Rs 10,000 per hectare to help farmers in the rabi season commencing from November 2025. Rs 30,000 was given for damage caused and Rs 32,000 per animal for livestock lost. The package also covers ex-gratia payments for deaths as well as damaged houses, shops and infrastructure.