Maharashtra minister Girish Mahajan urges well-off farmers to return Rs 5,000 drought relief

Maharashtra Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan has appealed to financially secure farmers to voluntarily return the Rs 5000 drought assistance they received from the state government so the money can be used to support farmers in needThe government recently announced an advance payment of Rs 5000 for eligible farmers in droughtaffected areas ahead of Diwali As of November 5 more than Rs 4372 crore had been transferred to over 87 lakh farmers under the relief programmeMahajan appeals to financially secure farmersThose who do not need the money should voluntarily return the Rs 5000 considering it as a contribution towards helping farmers who are in need My appeal is to everyone who is financially capable Mahajan told reporters in Jalgaon district on SaturdayThe BJP leader said several farmers and party workers from his constituency Jamner in Jalgaon district had approached him on Saturday morning after receiving the assistance They expressed their willingness to return the amount because they did not require the financial supportNearly 50 farmers had approached him with the proposal Mahajan said adding that they were financially secure and had other sources of incomeMinister plans to approach more peopleMahajan appealed to people who were in a position to contribute to support farmers affected by crop lossesI will appeal to people to stand firmly behind our food provider the farmer during such difficult times and extend financial assistance through the Chief Ministers Relief Fund he saidThe minister added that he would personally approach people to encourage voluntary contributions to the Chief Ministers Relief FundGovernment approves Rs 7500 crore drought assistanceOn October 27 the Devendra Fadnavisled Maharashtra government approved a total assistance package of Rs 7500 crore for farmers in 304 droughthit talukasFarmers whose crops suffered damage of more than 33 per cent are eligible for the assistance The government is transferring the funds directly into beneficiaries bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer DBT systemOver 87 lakh farmers receive Rs 4372 croreAs of November 5 the state government had transferred Rs 437283 crore to the bank accounts of 8745669 farmers state Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makarand Jadhav Patil said on FridayThe process of transferring assistance to the remaining eligible beneficiaries was underway Authorities were working to resolve technical issues and discrepancies in bank account details that had delayed some paymentsThe relief programme is part of the states response to crop losses during the Kharif season which affected farmers across several parts of MaharashtraMahajans appeal comes as the government continues distributing assistance to eligible beneficiaries with the minister urging those who do not need the money to contribute towards supporting farmers facing financial difficultiesWith inputs from PTI