Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has assured that his government is committed to providing relief to hailstorm-hit farmers in the state and appealed to them not to take any untoward decision that could harm them.

Mr Chavan's statement comes in the wake of reports that several farmers have committed suicide in hailstorm
affected districts.

He said, considering the magnitude of devastation, the government is trying its best to provide maximum relief to the affected farmers. Mr Chavan said, the state government has demanded a financial package of 5,000 crore rupees from the Centre and also apprised the Election Commission of India about the damage caused.

He said, a high-level group comprising Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh and Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, has been formed. A central team has recently completed its tour of the affected areas.

The state government has already given orders to the district administration to provide relief as per standing orders in case of a natural calamity.