Maharashtra Govt to Exceed NDRF Compensation for Rain-Hit Farmers

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that the state will provide compensation exceeding National Disaster Response Force criteria to farmers affected by rains in Marathwada. Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis inspected the damage, promising swift assessments. The opposition criticized the government for delayed responses amidst significant crop destruction.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has pledged to pay compensation beyond the set National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) criteria to farmers who have faced crop damage due to recent rains in the Marathwada region.

Shinde, along with Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, toured the affected fields in Udgir tehsil of Latur district to assess the extent of the damage and promised immediate support.

Devendra Fadnavis assured farmers of expedited panchnamas (damage assessments) to facilitate the swift disbursal of compensation. Recent torrential downpours have led to significant crop destruction across 11.67 lakh hectares in seven districts, causing at least ten fatalities in rain-related incidents over three days. The opposition slammed the Mahayuti government for what they described as a delayed response to the crisis.

(With inputs from agencies.)