MUMBAI: The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has slammed the MahaYuti govt’s drought relief measures. NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar said drought relief measures announced by the govt are as dry as dust. Rohit said even though drought relief has been announced across 265 talukas, it should have been implemented at least 3 weeks earlier. Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray said the govt that fills the pockets of contractors has forgotten farmers.State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal said farmers should be provided with ₹1 lakh per hectare in aid, crop loan waivers, and special financial support for the Rabi season. Sapkal said declaring a drought does not end the govt’s responsibility and in this time of crisis, true measure of the govt’s sensitivity lies not in announcements, but in ensuring that actual aid reaches farmers.“The govt has immediate funds available to pay for the Shakti Peeth Highway, the increase in road costs and the dues of contractors. However, while helping farmers, treasury problems are brought forward. Why are the ‘PM Cares’ and disaster relief funds from the central govt not being used for farmers? Uddhav Thackeray had given direct loan waiver during the MVA govt, farmers remember that help. Those who are waving banners like ‘Chief Minister again’ in for power should first wipe the tears of the farmers,” Aaditya who is in Solapur to take stock of the drought situation.“On one hand, the CM says this is a drought more severe than the 1972 famine, and on the other hand, when it comes to relief measures, they announce utterly hollow ones…If you are sensitive, CM, don’t waive exam fees—waive educational fees; don’t waive farm tax—waive crop loans; give farmers Rs 50,000 per hectare and farm labourers Rs 25,000 in aid. If these things don’t happen, we’ll have to say the CM’s tour was just to show off, or that the CM simply doesn’t understand the farmers’ plight. The time hasn’t passed yet—if the govt has just been wasting time and doesn’t announce substantial immediate aid, we’ll launch a mass movement across the state alongside farmers and farm labourers to force the govt to provide help,” Rohit said in a post on X.“CM should announce a date for when the aid will be directly transferred to farmers’ accounts after completing the panchnama surveys. During times of drought, the financial and mental stress on farmers intensifies. Therefore, before the situation worsens further, it is essential for the govt to provide immediate and solid support to farmers and agricultural labourers. Delays in aid could make the situation even more challenging,” Sapkal said.
