Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 1: In a move sparking widespread outrage, the Mahayuti government on Friday revoked the enhanced crop compensation scheme it had announced ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, reverting to a March 2023 order that significantly reduces financial aid to farmers.

The reversal comes just days after unseasonal rains wreaked havoc on crops across Maharashtra. Though the administration has begun surveying the damage, a fresh government resolution (GR) has confirmed that the earlier relief package — which had increased compensation limits — stands cancelled.

“As per the cabinet's decision, from Kharif 2025, compensation will be granted in line with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDRF) norms as mentioned in the March 27, 2023 order,” the GR stated. It also confirmed the cancellation of the January 1, 2024 GR, which had raised both the compensation amount and the land limit eligible for assistance.

Under the scrapped January 2024 order, the compensation had been significantly hiked:

• Non-irrigated land: Rs 13,600 per hectare (up from Rs 8,500)
• Irrigated land: Rs 27,000 per hectare (up from Rs 17,000)
• Horticulture/cash crops: Rs 36,000 per hectare (up from Rs 22,500)
• Land limit: 3 hectares (up from 2 hectares)

With the rollback, a farmer with three hectares of non-irrigated land would now receive Rs 17,000 — less than half of the earlier Rs 40,800.

The decision has been sharply criticised by farmer leaders. Former MP and farmer activist Raju Shetti called the move ‘a betrayal’ of those who voted for the government hoping for continued support. “The Mahayuti government won power by promising sops to farmers. Now it’s abandoning them,” he said.

According to Maharashtra's economic survey, the average landholding in the state is 1.34 hectares. In drought-prone regions like Vidarbha, the average is even higher, exceeding five acres making the impact of the compensation cut particularly harsh for already distressed farmers.

The rollback is being seen as a cost-saving measure by the government in the wake of recent rains and growing compensation liabilities. However, it has also reignited criticism that the pre-election hike was a strategic ploy to secure votes now abandoned after electoral gains were made.