Mumbai, Oct. 27 -- In a major financial intervention to mitigate severe agricultural distress, the Maharashtra government on Tuiesday declared drought across 305 talukas in the state and initiated the direct disbursement of Rs 5,000 as advance relief to affected farmers.
Alongside the immediate payout, the state cabinet has decided to submit a comprehensive proposal seeking financial assistance of Rs 40,000 crore from the union Government on October 31 to manage long-term drought relief and rehabilitation.
According to official sources, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis issued clear instructions during the Cabinet meeting earlier in teh day, directing officials to disburse the Rs 5,000 advance directly into the bank accounts of farmers wit...