Maharashtra Farmer Receives Only ₹2.30 Instead of ₹1.5 Lakh Crop Loss Compensation: Officials Cite Technical Glitch

Madhukar Baburao Patil experienced significant losses due to unseasonal rainfall in Maharashtra.

A Maharashtra farmer was left stunned when only Rs 2.30 was deposited into his bank account as supposed compensation for crop damage caused by unseasonal rainfall.

Officials have dismissed the incident as a technical error, explaining that the small amount was actually remaining funds from a previous claim the farmer had filed for similar damages in 2023.

Madhukar Baburao Patil from Shilottar village in Palghar district's Wada taluk is entitled to receive Rs 1,53,110 for his 2.51 hectares of land, according to a receipt issued by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare on July 16, confirming his premium payment under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.

The documentation indicated that Patil had paid a premium of Rs 1,148.32 this year.

However, Patil received a notification on Friday showing that merely Rs 2.30 had been transferred to his account.

"Persistent rainfall this season has devastated our paddy harvest, leaving crops waterlogged and decaying. Even the straw has turned black, exacerbating the crisis by creating a shortage of fodder for livestock," said Patil, who owns approximately six to seven acres of land registered under his name and those of his wife and daughters.

"We've lost our entire crop. There's no support available to us now. Despite the extensive damage, I was astonished to discover only Rs 2.30 had been deposited into my bank account," he further stated.

Nilesh Bhageshwar, the district agriculture officer for Palghar, characterized the situation as a technical malfunction.

"After receiving information about this case, we conducted a state-level investigation and discovered that the amount credited to the farmer represented the balance of his insurance premium. He was entitled to receive total compensation of Rs 72,466 as crop insurance for paddy losses during the 2023 Kharif season. He had already received Rs 72,464 back in May 2024. Due to a technical issue, the remaining ₹2.30 was transferred to him on October 31 this year," he explained.

"We have communicated this information to the farmer. Our regional team has visited him and provided a complete explanation. We will also obtain written confirmation from him that he has no remaining grievances on this matter. We intend to share this clarification with the media as well," he added.

Patil's situation was highlighted during a press conference held by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray in Mumbai on Monday.

"It's ridiculous that farmers in Palghar have received only Rs 2 and some change as crop insurance compensation," Thackeray remarked.

Farmers across the state continue to struggle and seek proper compensation for losses resulting from unseasonal rainfall.