Pune: Farmer activists and opposition parties have accused the state govt of failing to proactively provide relief to farmers in drought-affected areas. Citing the recent suicide of a farmer in Nanded, activists warned that the rural crisis could severely worsen unless the govt takes immediate, preventive measures.Shankar Kshirsagar, a 46-year-old farmer, died by suicide at his farm in Nanded district on Monday. Before taking his own life, Kshirsagar recorded a video detailing his mountain of outstanding loans and his exclusion from critical govt welfare schemes. His death has drawn sharp criticism from agrarian leaders, who accuse the state administration of failing to offer a psychological or financial safety net to the farming community.Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana founder Raju Shetti said, “It has been nearly a month since the state govt officially declared a drought, yet it has not rolled out any tangible relief for farmers. There has been no announcement of a comprehensive relief package, nor any advance interim payments.”Agrarian groups and opposition parties are jointly demanding that the govt announce an unconditional loan waiver for all affected cultivators. “Immediately after declaring the drought, the state govt should have initiated the restructuring of agricultural loans and announced a waiver. Such steps would have instilled confidence in the farming community, but sadly, no action has been taken,” Shetti added.While a central govt team recently reviewed the state’s drought situation—with a formal relief package expected only after their report is submitted—activists argue that farmers cannot afford to wait. They have demanded that the state govt provide immediate, temporary financial assistance in the interim.Marathwada-based farmer activist Jayaji Suryavanshi echoed these concerns, warning of a compounding crisis. “The state is only just beginning to feel the full impact of this drought, and we have already recorded a suicide. The situation will grow exponentially worse in the coming days. If the govt does not act proactively, we will see a rise in such tragic cases across different regions.”“Farmers are also facing immense harassment from microfinance companies, an issue that the administration must address on a priority basis. If the govt takes strict legal action against these institutions for coercive recovery tactics, it will provide much-needed immediate relief to the farming community,” Suryavanshi added.
