The Chief of Shiv Sena (UBT), Uddhav Thackeray, met with the farmers affected by the recent floods in central Maharashtra's Latur district, and assured them that his party will take their concerns to the government’s attention.
"We don't have anything in our hands. But I have come here to be with you. Do not be disheartened and do not take any wrong step," he said, apparently referring to incidents of farmer suicide in the region, adding that his party was with the farmers "with full strength."
Since September 20, heavy rains and floods have claimed at least nine lives in the Marathwada region, marooned villages, damaged houses, and flattened crops on more than 30,000 hectares. Rains also wreaked havoc in parts of Solapur district, where standing crops, livestock, homes, and businesses have suffered damage.
Rs 2,230 crore been given to farmers: Maha Minister
Meanwhile, Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Thursday said that the state government has provided financial assistance of Rs 2,230 crore to the flood-affected farmers across the state so far.
The opposition parties — Congress and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray have demanded that the government declare a "wet drought" in the state.
"Relief amount of Rs 2,230 crore has been distributed till now to the flood-affected farmers and the panchanama reports of damaged crops on another 17 lakh hectares have come. A Government Resolution (GR) on it is expected to be issued in a day or two. We are working on providing immediate relief to the affected farmers and people. Efforts are underway to bring them out of this huge disaster and mitigate the losses," said the Revenue Minister Bawankule.
Many legislators, MPs, NGOs, and business heads are working on helping the affected people, Bawankule said, adding that the BJP MLAs have also decided to contribute one month's salary for the cause of the flood-affected ones.
While the Congress sought compensation of Rs 50,000 per hectare for the affected farmers, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray demanded that the Central government should announce an assistance package of Rs 10,000 crore for Marathwada.
Follow us
