**Maharashtra Farmers Won’t Have a Bleak Diwali Amid Drought: Eknath Shinde
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Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde has assured farmers in drought-hit regions that they will receive support ahead of Diwali. He said financial assistance of **₹5,000** is being transferred _directly into farmers’ bank accounts_ to help them cope with the crisis.

The government is also dispatching hundreds of trucks carrying Diwali ration kits to affected districts in phases. Maharashtra has declared drought across **305 talukas out of its 358 talukas**, as farmers face difficult conditions following inadequate rainfall. The state government says the relief measures aim to ease the burden on affected farming families during the festive season.