Data security concerns raised over farmer ID system in Maharashtra Assembly; govt assures strict action

Concerns over the security of farmersrsquo personal data and the alleged involvement of private agencies in generating Farmer Identification Numbers were raised in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Wednesday prompting the state government to assure that strict action would be taken if any irregularities were found reported news agency PTIDuring Question Hour Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar questioned the process of issuing Farmer IDs and warned about potential risks to the sensitive data of cultivatorsCongress raises concerns over role of private agenciesWadettiwar alleged that in some areas Farmer ID cards were being printed and sold through Common Service Centres and other agencies raising questions about the involvement of private entities in the process reported PTIHe urged the government to conduct a thorough inquiry to determine whether private companies had been entrusted with generating the identification numbers and whether the tender process for assigning such work had been carried out transparentlyThe Congress leader also pointed out that the Farmer ID system involves the collection of sensitive information such as personal details and bank account data of farmers reported PTIGiven the nature of the information involved he sought clarity on safeguards put in place to prevent cyber hacking data misuse or theftThe Farmer ID initiative is part of a nationwide push to digitise the agriculture sector with cultivators being issued a unique identification number similar to Aadhaar to streamline access to government schemesGovernment says Farmer IDs not meant to be soldResponding to the concerns Maharashtra Agriculture Minister Datta Bharane clarified that Farmer ID cards are not officially meant to be printed or sold reported PTIHe said that if any Common Service Centre or private agency is found to be selling such cards strict action would be takenAccording to Bharane the government has not received any formal complaints regarding the sale of Farmer ID cards so far However he assured the House that any irregularities brought to the governmentrsquos notice would be investigated and dealt with appropriately reported PTIThe minister added that the process of creating Farmer IDs is designed to simplify the delivery of government benefits and agricultural schemes through digital infrastructureOver 131 crore Farmer IDs generated in MaharashtraBharane said that Maharashtra has made significant progress in implementing the Farmer ID systemAccording to the latest figures the state has around 171 crore farmers as per the agricultural census and as of March 4 2026 more than 131 crore Farmer IDs have already been generatedHe said Maharashtra is among the leading states in issuing Farmer ID cards and integrating farmers into digital service platformsRs 15817 crore relief given to farmers for crop lossesMeanwhile Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makrand Patil informed the Assembly that the state government has provided financial assistance worth Rs 15817 crore to farmers affected by crop losses during the 202324 Kharif season reported PTIHe said approximately 102 crore farmers suffered crop damage across 7982 lakh hectares of farmland in the stateThe government extended financial assistance to help farmers cope with the losses he addedJalgaon district alone reported crop losses worth about Rs 22 crore of which Rs 1577 crore has already been distributed as aidCompensation extended beyond standard normsPatil explained that compensation for crop losses is generally provided in accordance with norms set under the National Disaster Response Fund NDRF reported PTIHowever as a special measure the state government increased the eligibility limit for assistance from two hectares to three hectares of affected landThe government also extended aid to farmers whose fields were submerged due to floods even in cases where rainfall levels were relatively lower than the usual thresholdSome legislators raised concerns that nearly 97000 farmers in certain talukas were left out of relief as rainfall levels did not meet the required criteriaPatil said assistance could be provided only if rainfall data meets the parameters defined under NDRF guidelines However he added that the government would examine specific cases if legislators submitted written representations reported PTIGovernment addressing pending payments and other issuesThe minister also addressed pending payments under the Rs 32000 crore special relief package announced for farmers affected during the 2023ndash24 Kharif season reported PTIHe said some beneficiaries have not yet received financial assistance due to KYC verification issues and technical glitches which are currently being resolvedIn Yavatmal district alone about Rs 1270 crore has already been transferred directly to the bank accounts of nearly seven lakh farmers through the Direct Benefit Transfer DBT systemGovt assures action against illegal miningSeparately Forest Minister Ganesh Naik responded to concerns raised by legislators regarding illegal mining activities in certain areasHe said authorities remain vigilant and that action would be taken whenever credible information about illegal extraction of minerals is receivedldquoThe Tahsildar police and forest department are all alert I cannot claim that no thefts are happening but any information provided by citizens will lead to immediate actionrdquo Naik said reported PTIHe urged legislators and citizens to share specific details such as division range and village locations to help authorities curb unauthorised mining activities effectivelyWith inputs from PTI