Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Kailash Patil criticized the announcement, calling the relief amount of Rs 5,000 an 'insult and mockery' of farmers facing severe hardships and inflation.
Former Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and NCP (SP) leader fiercely targeted Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He said that the government had initially promised to provide comprehensive assistance to all the affected farmers, but has now reduced it by making administrative excuses.
Senior Congress leader and MLA Vijay Wadettiwar launched a scathing attack on the Maharashtra administration, saying the relief amount of Rs 5,000 is equivalent to rubbing salt on the wounds of struggling farmers.
Underscoring the seriousness of the crisis, Wadettiwar said farmers are not only struggling with current losses but are also extremely worried about their survival in the coming year. Many farmers had taken huge loans from private lenders and financial sources for farming, but crops were completely destroyed, leaving their stores empty and burdening them with huge debts.
Questioning the state's financial priorities, Wadettiwar asked how the government could claim to be short of funds for distressed farmers, while at the same time allocating thousands of crores of rupees for mega projects like the upcoming Kumbh Mela and the Shaktipeeth Expressway.
He asserted that, “Getting the blessings of farmers is more important than raising funds for the Kumbh Mela,” and demanded the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led government to cancel non-essential high-budget projects and redirect funds towards adequate financial relief for farmers.
Expressing similar displeasure, All India Kisan Sabha (AKS) strongly condemned the advance payment of Rs 5,000 announced by Chief Minister Fadnavis in 305 drought-hit tehsils. In a joint statement issued in Mumbai, key Kisan Sabha leaders pointed out that this paltry amount does not even cover basic production expenses like fertiliser, seeds, pesticides and labour.
Due to aggressive pressure by agri input sellers to settle old debts, farmers are stuck in a vicious cycle of debt from which it is impossible to escape, ahead of the festival of Diwali.