Even amidst the drought crisis, the flame of humanity kept burning; the sensitive administration showed its humane face

Thane, Nov 13 (City News Mumbai)

Diwali is a festival of joy, enthusiasm, and light. There is an atmosphere of decorating houses with lamps, the fragrance of sweets, and celebrating happiness with family. But when the strike of nature brings a drought crisis upon the farming and lives of Maharashtra's farmers, then even the joy of festivals fades away.

Irregular rainfall, drying crops, villagers wandering for drinking water, and the economic crisis standing ahead... Today, several farmer families of rural Maharashtra are passing through such difficult circumstances.

In such a difficult time, the state government did not limit its responsibility merely to official announcements and statistics of financial assistance, but showing the sensitivity of the administration, the leadership of the state reached directly to the fields and homes of the farmers.

On one hand, financial assistance was deposited into the bank accounts of farmers, while on the other, the Chief Minister and colleagues of the cabinet personally reached the homes of drought-affected farmers and celebrated Diwali with them. A sensitive and humane face of governance has emerged from these efforts.

### Going beyond assurances, the government reached the homes of farmers

Ministers' visits are nothing new, but this time the visits were not limited merely to reviewing development works or meetings in air-conditioned rooms. Going beyond governmental formalities, the Chief Minister and members of the cabinet reached the huts and homes of farmers and tried to understand their problems.

A person caught in a crisis needs psychological support along with financial aid. They need the reassurance that someone understands their pain and that they are not alone. Reaching different regions of rural Maharashtra, the Chief Minister and ministers tried to give this very reassurance to the farmers.

### Administrative promptness along with financial assistance

This initiative of the government was not limited to emotional solace alone, but along with it, financial assistance was also made available.

To provide immediate relief to drought-affected farmers, the state government decided to give advance assistance of Rs 5,000 per farmer to eligible farmers.

Through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), this amount is being deposited into the bank accounts of farmers.

Till November 5, assistance of Rs 4,372 crore 83 lakh had been deposited into the bank accounts of a total of 87 lakh 45 thousand 669 farmers of the state.

Along with this, the 24th installment of the Central Government's Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme was distributed on October 30. Under this, an amount of over Rs 18,690 crore was deposited into the accounts of 9 crore 34 lakh eligible farmer families in the country.

Farmers have received relief from both these financial assistance schemes.

Apart from this, efforts have been made to provide relief to farmers through measures such as restructuring of crop loans, stay on loan recovery, waiver in educational fees, arrangement of drinking water and animal fodder, and the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Kisan Karjmukti Yojana.

### Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis celebrated Diwali at a farmer's home

The sensitivity of the administration was seen when Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reached the home of farmer Rambhau Balpande in Lohari Sawanga village located in Narkhed taluka of Nagpur district and celebrated Diwali with him.

When the Chief Minister of the state reaches the simple home of a farmer, sits on the ground and understands his pain and sorrow, it is an emotional moment for the family.

The Chief Minister had home-cooked food with the Balpande family and discussed the current situation of farming, the shortage of water in rural areas, and the economic challenges standing before the farmers.

During this, an important announcement was also made to relax the restrictions imposed on digging borewells in fields till December 15, in the direction of taking the administration to the doorsteps of farmers.

### "Will never leave farmers helpless" – Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

On the other hand, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also reached Bhilpuri village in Jalna taluka and celebrated Diwali at the home of drought-affected farmer Ambadas Tangde.

Upon reaching Tangde's home, where the family sustains itself on just one acre of rain-fed farming, the Deputy Chief Minister understood the family's circumstances up close.

He had a simple home-cooked meal with the family and listened to their problems.

On this occasion, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde assured that the government stands firmly with the farmers and will not leave them helpless under any circumstances.

Apart from the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister, other ministers and cabinet ministers also reached remote areas of their respective districts to celebrate Diwali with the farmers.

### Drought is a crisis for the entire rural economy, not just agriculture

It is important to understand that drought is not just a matter of cracks in the farmland. It directly affects the education of farmers' children, the health of elderly parents, the marriage of daughters, and the entire rural economy.

Therefore, during such a severe crisis, social and emotional support becomes as important as financial assistance.

Direct dialogue with farmers and understanding their actual conditions can also help in formulating future plans.

Such visits can serve as a guide for the administration in formulating new plans for water conservation, irrigation, water storage, and sustainable farming.

### An effort to light the flame of hope in farmers' lives

Providing direct financial assistance to farmers' bank accounts is an administrative responsibility, but visiting their homes, sitting with them, eating with them, and understanding their troubles is a symbol of humanity and sensitivity.

Only when financial aid and human compassion are seen together does the true picture of sensitive governance emerge.

This effort to light the lamp of hope in the lives of drought-affected farming families on this auspicious occasion of Diwali is commendable.

A hand of trust on the farmers' backs and a glint of hope in their eyes are the true identity of the human face of a sensitive administration amidst the drought crisis.

Manoj Suman Shivaji Sanap, District Information Officer, Thane / Raigad