India, Oct. 6 -- As farmers come to terms with colossal losses to their homes, fields and cattle in flood-ravaged Marathwada, the state faces accusations of bias in compensating villagers in this largely backward region.

Opposition leaders and some from the ruling parties are pointing to glaring disparities in the ex-gratia payment offered to Marathwada's farmers, compared to robust packages given to farmers in Western Maharashtra, after floods in the Kolhapur-Sangli region in 2019. Subsequent packages too offered higher ex-gratia sums, leaving Marathwada's farmers hurting from what they believe is blatant discrimination.

On the backfoot after the opposition demanded ex-gratia of Rs.50,000 per hectare for Marathwada, the state governmen...