Hardworking people of Parbhani are not alone; their Guardian Minister stands firmly by their side
Over Rs 168 crore in Diwali advance assistance distributed to farmers in Parbhani district
Parbhani, November 2026 : Responding to Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's appeal, Parbhani Guardian Minister Meghana Sakore-Bordikar celebrated Diwali this year with sugarcane-cutting workers at their temporary settlements in Jintur taluka, demonstrating compassion and simplicity. At the same time, the state government brought festive cheer to more than three lakh farmers in Parbhani district by directly transferring over Rs 168 crore as Diwali advance assistance into their bank accounts.
Although Diwali is a festival of happiness and celebration, the challenges confronting the agricultural sector often force farmers and labourers engaged in sugarcane harvesting to stay away from their homes and families during the festive season.
Recognising their difficulties, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had appealed to ministers across the state to celebrate Diwali with farmers and agricultural workers.
In response to this appeal, Guardian Minister Meghana Sakore-Bordikar made a surprise visit to the temporary settlements of sugarcane-cutting workers in the Adgaon Darade area of Jintur taluka.
During the visit, she personally helped the young children of the workers wear new clothes, distributed traditional Diwali snacks and interacted warmly with the families. Her gesture brought smiles to the faces of the children and enabled the workers to experience the joy of the festival despite being away from their homes.
Speaking during the visit, the Guardian Minister said it was her responsibility to reassure sugarcane-cutting workers and farming families that they were not alone and that the government would always stand by them.
Meanwhile, the state government's decision to provide Diwali advance assistance of Rs 5,000 each to eligible farmers in 304 drought-affected talukas across Maharashtra has been effectively implemented.
As of November 5, 2026, financial assistance exceeding Rs 4,372 crore had been credited to the bank accounts of more than 87.45 lakh farmers across the state.
In Parbhani district, a total of Rs 168.19 crore was directly transferred to the bank accounts of 3,36,380 eligible farmers.
The financial assistance has brought considerable relief to farming families in the district, enabling them to celebrate Diwali with greater happiness. The Guardian Minister had also been making efforts to ensure that farmers in Parbhani received the assistance before the festival.
On the occasion, Meghana Sakore-Bordikar, Guardian Minister of Parbhani district and Minister of State holding portfolios of Public Health and Family Welfare, Water Supply and Sanitation, Energy, Women and Child Development, and Public Works, said:
"Celebrating the joy of Diwali with sugarcane-cutting workers today makes me feel that they are part of my own family. Bringing smiles to their faces is the real joy of the festival. The government will always stand firmly with hardworking people."
The minister's compassionate outreach, coupled with the direct transfer of financial assistance into farmers' bank accounts, has created an atmosphere of happiness among the farming community in Parbhani.
The initiative reflects the government's efforts to extend support to economically vulnerable sections and ensure that farmers and agricultural workers are not left out of festive celebrations.
