Farmers in Loni village of Ambegaon taluka, Pune district, have been unable to withdraw a ₹5,000 government assistance payment credited to their accounts because the local post office does not have sufficient cash, according to a report by Pudhari.
The assistance had started reaching farmers’ accounts ahead of Diwali, offering expected financial support for festival-related expenses. Several account holders then went to the Loni post office to withdraw the money, but were reportedly told that cash was unavailable and had to return without receiving the credited amount.
The situation has created a gap between the transfer of government support and the ability of beneficiaries to access it. While the money has been deposited into accounts, farmers relying on the post office for cash withdrawals have not been able to use the assistance immediately.
According to Pudhari, farmers said the cash shortage had caused significant inconvenience at a time when households needed money for Diwali expenses. They have demanded that the post office maintain adequate cash availability and ensure that the credited assistance is made accessible without further delay.
Loni Postmaster Lokesh Chavan told the publication that he had travelled to the Khed post office to obtain cash for the account holders. However, he said that cash was not available there either. Chavan reportedly told Pudhari that account holders would receive the money on Friday, the 6th.
The episode highlights the operational dependence of direct financial assistance on the last-mile banking and postal network. Crediting money to an account does not by itself guarantee immediate access where beneficiaries depend on a specific local outlet, limited cash-handling capacity or transfers from a linked post office.
The report does not specify the total number of affected farmers, the amount of cash requested by the Loni office, or whether alternative withdrawal arrangements were offered. The immediate next step cited by the postmaster is the planned availability of funds for account holders on Friday, the 6th.
