India, Oct. 19 -- Rebuilding their lives after the devastation wrought by the recent floods in Marathwada is proving more painful than the farmers had imagined. After losing their homes, standing crops and cattle, and left with fields rendered infertile by waterlogging, farmers say the government, their only source of relief, is offering compensation with too many strings attached.

Mincing no words is farmer leader Raju Shetti, president of the Swabhimani Shetkari Sanghatana, "The compensation package is a sham," he alleged. Although the state had announced a seemingly robust compensation package of Rs.31,628 crore a week ago, the eligibility criteria are so stringent that it exposes the government's hollow intentions, farmers claim.

Mo...