Centre has announced a 600 crore rupee Central assistance to Maharashtra which suffered extensive damage to crops on account of unprecedented and unseasonal rains. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh announced the relief of 400 crore rupee after an all party delegation led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan called on him and sought a special relief package for farmers yesterday. The Prime Minister assured the delegation that the interests of farmers were uppermost and that all necessary steps would be taken by the Centre to assist the state government in helping the farmers. Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar has also announced a relief of 200 crore rupee separately to mitigate the sufferings of farmers.