The BJP-Shiv Sena Government in Maharashtra has announced a special package of Rs 7,000 crore for the distressed farmers in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions who are grappling with drought-like conditions. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced it in the Legislative Assembly today while replying a marathon debate on the topic in form of an intermediate step before visit of the Central teams for assessment of the situation and help form the Union Government.

The special package includes Rs 3, 925 crore for the distressed farmers in Vidarbha and Marathwada regions who are bearing the brunt of the drought-like situation and Rs 884 crore for preservation of the plants in horticulture sector. The crop loans of the affected farmers would be restructured with the margin money of Rs 480 crore and the interest waiver subsidy would be around Rs 435 crore. The Chief Minister also assured to make the farmers free from the clutches of private money lenders. The State Government would also ensure uninterrupted power supply to the farmers and waive their electricity bills for the current quarter as a temporary arrangement. In addition, an amount of Rs 400 crore would be spent on tackling the water scarcity effectively. Chief Minister Fadnavis also envisaged a comprehensive and ambitious plan worth Rs 34, 500 crore for the long-term measures required to be taken in order to deal with various problems being faced by the farming community.