Upset over 'paltry' interim financial assistance announced by the Maharashtra government for drought-hit farmers, a soybean cultivator from Dharashiv district has sent a money order of ₹5,000 to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis as a mark of protest.

Mr. Fadnavis announced on Wednesday (October 14) that an initial relief of ₹5,000 will be deposited directly into farmers' bank accounts ahead of Diwali, a move that comes after over 85% of talukas in Maharashtra were declared drought-hit.

The State government added 40 more talukas to the drought-hit list, taking the total number of affected sub-divisions in Maharashtra to 305 out of 358.

Mr. Fadnavis had said that the decision to transfer ₹5,000 to farmers was made to provide urgent support before the upcoming festival, as complete administrative evaluations and Central assessment procedures take time and cannot legally conclude before Diwali.

Chand Shaikh, a farmer from Surdi village in Dharashiv tehsil, said he had sent a money order of ₹5,000 to the Chief Minister.

Mr. Shaikh claimed he earned mere ₹3,900 from his soybean yield and borrowed ₹1,100 from a friend to send the money order.

"I cultivated a soybean crop on 1.5 acres of my farm. I spent ₹25,000 and received a 60-kg yield. I could earn just ₹3,900. I borrowed ₹1,100 from my friend to send the money order," Mr. Shaikh told reporters outside Surdi post office.

A man claiming to be the farmer's friend said he lent ₹1,100 to Mr. Shaikh.