The government recently announced an advance payment of Rs 5,000 for eligible farmers in drought-affected areas ahead of Diwali. As of November 5, more than Rs 4,372 crore had been transferred to over 87 lakh farmers under the relief programme. Girish Mahajan urged financially secure farmers to return their Rs 5,000 drought assistance. The voluntary refunds would bolster support for cultivators facing severe crop losses.