NAGPUR: Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has appealed to the farmers in the state not lose hope and resort to extreme measures like suicide. Informing that he has asked the Central Government for a relief package worth Rs 4,500 crore, he assured that his government would provide all possible help and support to the farmers whose businesses have been affected by drought. The statement comes at a time when Maharashtra is reeling under the effects of one of the worst possible droughts in recent years. The government has discussed about various ways to lighten the burden of the farmers hit by the economic crisis including concessions in electricity bills, waiving fees for classes tenth and twelfth, rescheduling of farm loans and stay on loan recovery among others. In a statement issued on the topic recently, the chief minister said, "Farmers' suicides all over the state has saddened me. We have already announced a few measures that we would adopt to tackle this huge problem brought about by a natural calamity and we would do whatever is in our power. But, the farmers need to be patient."" Fadnavis assured that he as well as his ministers are regularly assessing the situation and thinking about possible solutions.