Maharashtra: Ministers, Opp leaders demand declaring of wet drought, special package for farmers

“Ministers from all three parties raised the need to declare wet drought in the state. At the same time, ministers pointed out that it was high time that the government announces a financial package for the agriculture sector,” said a Shiv Sena minister after the cabinet meeting.

Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the government will ensure that the farmers are compensated by the government. He also said that ministers will visit affected districts to take stock of the situation and he, too, would be travelling on Wednesday.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Tuesday evening left for Marathwada while other deputy CM Eknath Shinde said he will be travelling to Dharashiv — one of the worst affected districts — along with guardian minister Pratap Sarnaik. Shinde has asked all the Sena ministers to be on ground to monitor relief work.

Speaking to reporters, Agriculture Minister Dattatraya Bharne said that the decision on announcing wet drought will be taken after the review of the situation and ministers’ tours to all the districts.

Meanwhile, Opposition Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal, while demanding the declaration of wet drought, said that the government should announce a financial aid of Rs 50,000 per hectare to all affected farmers and Rs 5 lakh per hectare to all those who have lost the entire crop.

“It is unfortunate that the Chief Minister has to ask ministers to travel to the flood-affected regions and no minister is voluntarily doing it. The government has forgotten about its promise of farm loan waiver,” said Sapkal.

Meanwhile, the Congress has formed committees headed by its Lok Sabha MPs to inspect districts in Marathwada. Jalana LS MP Kalyan Kale will inspect Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Jalna, while Shivajirao Kalge will head the committee for Latur, Beed and Dharashiv. Nanded MP Ravindra Chavan-led committee will travel to Nanded, Parbhani and Hingoli to take stock of the situation, while Gadchiroli MP Namdev Kirsan will head the committee for Nagpur division. Shobha Bachhav and Praniti Shinde will head the committees for north Maharashtra and Solapur respectively.

After the committees submit their reports, a Congress delegation led by Sapkal will meet the state governor.

From the homepage

Debris found in Srinagar’s Dal Lake could be from missile fired by Pakistan during Op Sindoor

Kolkata Rain Today Live Updates: Overnight rain paralyses normal life, 9 dead; IMD predicts more showers

71st National Film Awards 2025 LIVE Updates: Standing ovation for Mohanlal; loud cheers for Shah Rukh Khan as he accepts 1st national award