With assembly elections fast approaching, the Maharashtra government has rolled out a significant financial relief package for farmers, particularly those growing cotton and soybean. In a key decision announced after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the government sanctioned a whopping ₹2,399 crore as a subsidy for these farmers. This move is seen as a strategic effort to address agrarian concerns and strengthen voter support ahead of the polls.
The initial phase of the subsidy distribution involves ₹2,398.93 crore being transferred to the bank accounts of 49.5 lakh farmers, with the broader scheme earmarking a total of ₹4,194 crore. Of this, ₹1,548.34 crore is allocated to cotton farmers, while soybean farmers will receive ₹2,646.34 crore, benefiting 96 lakh farmers overall. Maharashtra’s State Minister, Dhananjay Munde, highlighted the scale of this financial boost and the importance of providing direct benefit transfers (DBT) to farmers.
“The distribution of subsidies for the kharif season of 2023 was officially launched today during the state cabinet meeting,” stated an official from the Chief Minister’s Office. The subsidy payments were electronically transferred to farmers by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar.
Cotton and soybean account for over 80% of the agricultural land in Maharashtra, and the well-being of farmers growing these crops has been a critical issue. The agrarian crisis was cited as a major factor in the Mahayuti alliance’s disappointing performance in previous elections, prompting this focused initiative.
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reassured farmers that their produce, especially cotton and soybeans, would be purchased at prices above the minimum support price (MSP) this season. Additionally, Fadnavis pressed the Prime Minister to increase import duties on crude oil to raise soybean prices domestically, a request that was promptly acted upon, resulting in an uptick in soybean prices.
This timely subsidy package is expected to bring much-needed relief to farmers, while also setting the stage for a crucial election battle in the state.
