Nashik district administration has directed all banks not to withhold, deduct or divert government assistance meant for farmers affected by the drought during the 2026 kharif season. The instructions cover an advance payment of ₹5,000 approved for each affected farmer across the district’s 13 talukas.
Resident Deputy Collector Rohitkumar Rajput issued the directions to banks, stating that amounts provided as advance assistance and compensation for losses caused by natural disasters must reach farmers without obstruction. Banks have been told not to use the assistance for loan recovery or transfer it to a farmer’s loan account.
The directions also prohibit banks from placing a hold on accounts into which the government assistance has been deposited. Farmers must not be prevented from withdrawing the money or accessing it for any reason, according to the instructions reported by Sakal – Pune.
The order comes as drought-affected farmers face financial difficulties and depend on government assistance for immediate relief. The district administration said that the advance payment and disaster-loss compensation are intended to provide support to those affected by the drought and therefore must remain available to the designated beneficiaries.
The instructions also address cases in which assistance may already have been transferred to a loan account or held in a farmer’s bank account. Banks have been directed to examine such cases and take necessary action in accordance with applicable laws and rules.
The directions apply to nationalised, cooperative and other banks operating in Nashik district. The district lead bank manager and the district deputy registrar of cooperative societies have been asked to communicate the instructions to branch managers across the district and ensure compliance.
Rajput has warned that banks must follow the directions strictly. Any violation will invite appropriate action under the applicable laws and rules, according to the district administration’s instructions. The directions place responsibility on the banking and cooperative administration system to ensure that approved drought relief is not absorbed by existing loan liabilities before it reaches farmers.
