Mumbai– Maharashtra’s Minister for Relief and Rehabilitation, Makarand Jadhav-Patil, informed the state legislative council on Tuesday that 767 farmers died by suicide in the state between January and March 2025.
Out of the 767 reported cases, 373 were deemed eligible for financial assistance, 200 were considered ineligible, and investigations are still pending in the remaining 194 cases.
Of the 373 eligible cases, the government has already disbursed compensation to the families of 327 deceased farmers. The minister noted that the remaining eligible families will receive aid soon, and all divisional commissioners have been directed to expedite the processing of pending claims.
As per a government resolution dated January 23, 2006, the Maharashtra government provides compensation of ₹1 lakh to the families of farmers who die by suicide. Jadhav-Patil clarified that there are currently no plans to increase this amount.
Providing a breakdown by region, the minister said that the western Vidarbha districts — Yavatmal, Amravati, Akola, Buldhana, and Washim — accounted for 257 of the reported suicides during the three-month period.
Of these 257 cases, 76 were deemed eligible for compensation, 74 were ineligible, and inquiries are ongoing in 107 cases. Financial assistance has been provided in 71 of the 76 eligible cases, with the remaining disbursements underway.
In Hingoli district of the Marathwada region, 24 farmer suicides were reported between January and May this year. Of those, 13 were eligible for aid, five were not, and six are under investigation. Compensation has been paid in all 13 eligible cases.
To address the ongoing crisis, Jadhav-Patil said that multiple departments are implementing coordinated efforts to reduce farmer suicides. In cases of crop damage due to natural disasters, the Relief and Rehabilitation Department provides compensation.
He also noted that farmers receive ₹12,000 annually, comprising ₹6,000 from the central government’s Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi and ₹6,000 from the state’s Shetkari Mahasanman Fund.
Other initiatives include ensuring fair pricing for agricultural products, expanding irrigation infrastructure, and operating mental health counseling centers in rural areas.
Additionally, the minister stated that the government provides various support schemes specifically for the widows of farmers who have died by suicide. (Source: IANS)
