The farmer, a resident of Dawarwadi village in Paithan taluka, had told reporters on Wednesday that he received a message stating that Rs 6 had been credited to his account
Farmers in parts of Maharashtra, especially in the Marathwada region, have suffered extensive crop damage following heavy rains and flooding in August and September. Representational pic
The Maharashtra Agriculture Department on Thursday dismissed claims by a farmer from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district that he received just Rs 6 as compensation for crop losses, clarifying that the amount was not paid by the government.
According to news agency PTI, the department said the single-digit amount was interest credited to the farmer’s bank account, not compensation under any government scheme.
Speaking about the issue, district agriculture official PR Deshmukh said, “The Rs 6 was not provided by the government—neither as crop insurance compensation nor under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). It was credited as bank interest.”
The farmer, Digambar Sudhakar Tangde, a resident of Dawarwadi village in Paithan taluka, had told reporters on Wednesday that he received a message stating that Rs 6 had been credited to his account.
“The government should be ashamed of paying so little. This amount is not even enough for a cup of tea. The government has played a big joke on the farmers,” Tangde had said.
Speaking during Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray’s visit to Nandar village to meet the farmers affected by recent heavy rains and floods, Tangde added, “We need a proper loan waiver, but the government is making fun of us by sending such amounts. This government only makes announcements and does nothing.”
The issue of meagre compensation is not limited to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. In Akola District, several farmers reported receiving as little as Rs 3 and Rs 21 under the PMFBY for losses caused by heavy rains. Protesting the “insulting” payments, they returned the cheques to the district collector’s office.
Farmers in parts of Maharashtra, especially in the Marathwada region, have suffered extensive crop damage following heavy rains and flooding in August and September.
In October, the Maharashtra government announced a Rs 31,628 crore relief package for affected farmers. The package includes compensation for crop losses, soil erosion, injuries, ex-gratia for next of kin, and financial aid for damaged houses, shops, and cattle sheds.
However, many farmers say that the aid reaching them is paltry and delayed, deepening frustration in a region already grappling with agrarian distress.
(With PTI inputs)
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