Mumbai, June 10: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis has extended immediate assistance to a distressed farmer from Latur after a viral video showed the farmer’s wife pulling a plough in place of a bullock, highlighting the family’s desperate situation ahead of the sowing season.
The video, which sparked widespread concern on social media, showed farmer Kashinath Gaikwad using his wife, Housabai, to pull a plough after one of his bullocks died in a lightning strike during recent unseasonal rains. Unable to afford a replacement animal and fearing the loss of the crucial sowing season, the couple resorted to the extreme measure to continue cultivating their leased farmland.
Upon learning about the incident, Chief Minister Fadnavis immediately contacted the Latur district administration and sought a detailed report on the family’s situation. He directed officials to provide urgent assistance and ensure that the farmer received a replacement bullock without delay.
Following the Chief Minister’s intervention, the district administration quickly arranged a bullock from a local cowshed, bringing immediate relief to the family and ending the hardship faced by Housabai.
Kashinath and Housabai Gaikwad have been earning their livelihood through sharecropping for several years. A few months ago, they had invested ₹1.20 lakh in purchasing a pair of bullocks. However, one of the animals was killed by lightning during a recent storm, leaving the family financially strained and unable to buy another bullock.
District authorities have confirmed that an official assessment of the animal’s death has already been completed. As per government norms, the family will soon receive compensation of ₹32,000, which will be directly credited to their bank account.
While the compensation process is underway, the Chief Minister’s swift response and personal intervention have been widely appreciated. Residents across Latur and Maharashtra have praised the government’s sensitivity and prompt action in supporting the struggling farming family during a time of crisis.
