Mumbai: The state cabinet on Tuesday approved an advance relief payment of Rs 5,000 each to 1.5 crore farmers in 304 drought-affected talukas, which is to be disbursed before Diwali.Officials said those whose crop losses exceeded 33% will be eligible for this aid. The payments will be credited directly into their bank accounts.The cabinet has sanctioned Rs 7,500 crore for this purpose. It will form part of a proposed relief package that will be announced after the ongoing assessment of drought damage—being categorised by crop type and land area—is completed.“Our govt had promised that funds would be credited to farmers’ accounts before Diwali, ensuring that the festival would not be a bleak one,” said deputy CM Eknath Shinde.An official said farmers who have already completed their e-KYC under various govt schemes since Nov 1, 2025, will not be required to undergo the process again to be eligible for this advance aid disbursement. “For those holding forest land rights (van patta holders) who have not yet received an ‘AgriStack’ farmer ID, the payment will be given based on their e-KYC.”
