Overview

• At a rally in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Uddhav Thackeray called the package the “biggest joke in history,” demanded a complete farm loan waiver, and warned farmers would take to the streets.
• The relief plan includes Rs 10,000 in immediate transfers, Rs 48,000 per hectare for crop loss, and up to Rs 3.47 lakh per hectare for land restoration linked to MGNREGA, with officials saying NDRF constraints were eased.
• Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said disbursements have begun in phase one and the government will try to finish initial payments before Diwali.
• Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde accused Thackeray of shedding “crocodile tears,” defended the package, and said the state and Centre are working together to reach affected farmers.
• Opposition leaders from Congress and NCP (SP) branded the plan inadequate as crops on about 68.69 lakh hectares were damaged, pressing for Rs 50,000 per hectare, Rs 1 lakh upfront for restoration, and consideration of PM Cares funds.