Maharashtra agriculture department has denied the claim that the government paid Rs 6 aid to a farmer, according to NDTV.
A farmer from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district in Maharashtra claimed he received only ₹6 as compensation for his crop losses caused by heavy rains and floods earlier this year. Expressing frustration, the farmer said the amount was “not even sufficient to buy a cup of tea.”
The state government had announced a ₹31,628 crore relief package for flood-affected farmers, but many farmers say the aid reaching them is meagre and delayed.
However, the Maharashtra Agriculture Department clarified that the ₹6 was not government compensation but bank interest credited inadvertently. This incident has sparked debates about the efficacy and timeliness of government support to farmers.
Crop Losses and Relief Package
Heavy rains and flooding hit Maharashtra’s Marathwada region in August-September 2025, severely damaging crops and livelihoods. The state government announced a hefty ₹31,628 crore relief package covering compensation for crop loss, soil erosion, injuries, and damage to properties.
Despite this, numerous farmers have reported receiving negligible compensation amounts, ranging from a few rupees to a few hundreds, which they consider insulting. Protests have erupted as farmers return these small amounts and express distrust in government promises.
Human Impact and Official Statements
The farmer, Digambar Sudhakar Tangde from Dawarwadi village, openly criticised the government during an event with Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray. He highlighted distress and hardship, calling the minuscule aid “a big joke.”
In response, District Agriculture Officer P R Deshmukh clarified the ₹6 credited to the farmer’s account was “interest,” not compensation under any government scheme like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). While efforts are ongoing to disburse compensation, frustration among farmers persists due to delays and the inadequacy of relief.
What’s in the ₹31,628 Crore Relief Package
The Maharashtra government announced the ₹31,628 crore relief package on October 7, 2025 to help farmers hit by heavy rains and floods that affected large parts of the state.
The package is built from several components, National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) payouts, state top-ups and targeted assistance, and is intended to reach farmers across dozens of affected districts and talukas.
State briefings and reporting say the package aims to support more than 60 lakh farmers and cover losses across roughly 68.7 lakh hectares damaged by the monsoon floods. Disbursement is being routed through district authorities with direct benefit transfers (DBT) to farmers’ bank accounts after verification.
Understanding crop insurance (PMFBY)
The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) is India’s flagship crop-insurance programme that aims to protect farmers from yield losses caused by natural calamities, pests and diseases.
Under PMFBY, farmers (or their banks) pay a subsidised premium and claims are assessed and paid by the implementing insurance company in coordination with state governments.
The operational framework requires loss intimation, local assessment (often via crop-cutting experiments or remote-sensing methods), and final claim calculation before payouts are released.
While PMFBY’s guidelines target timely settlement (the scheme aims to process claims within the harvest cycle and authorities have sought payments within prescribed windows), delays are common.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This incident reveals systemic challenges in delivering timely and adequate support to farmers, who face immense climate risks and financial vulnerability. It underscores the need for transparent, accountable, and empathetic governance coupled with sustainable agricultural policies.
The Logical Indian calls for renewed commitment to respecting and safeguarding farmers’ dignity by ensuring that relief measures truly meet their needs.
