Maharashtra farmers protest as flood relief fund delay worsens
Farmers in Marathwada, Maharashtra, are out on the streets, frustrated over the wait for a promised ₹32,000 crore flood relief package.
On Tuesday, members of the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana (SSS) staged a protest outside the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Collector's residence, leading to police detentions.
Maratha leader Manoj Jarange-Patil warned that if the funds don't reach farmers' accounts soon, even bigger protests are coming.
Fund release delayed, farmers worried
Recent floods wiped out crops and fertile soil across more than one crore acres in the region, leaving farmers worried about the next planting season.
SSS chief Raju Shetti called it urgent, saying the administration missed its promise to release funds before Diwali.
In Beed's Kaij taluka, farmer leader Hanumant Bhosale pointed out that damage checks are done but money hasn't arrived.
Another protest is already being planned to push for faster action.