‘Govt’s relief package brought no relief’: Uddhav Thackeray tours Marathwada, meets farmers hit by floods

The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief's Marathwada tour comes at a time when the Opposition has accused the Fadnavis government of making big announcements but failing to deliver timely relief to farmers hit by floods and crop losses.

he Shiv Sena (UBT) chief's Marathwada tour comes at a time when the Opposition has accused the Fadnavis government of making big announcements but failing to deliver timely relief to farmers hit by floods and crop losses.

Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, who is touring the Marathwada region meeting farmers whose crops have been destroyed due to heavy rain and floods, said the state government’s declaration of Rs 31,628 crore as a relief package has not helped farmers.

Thackeray, who is on a four-day tour of the Marathwada region, met farmers in Latur, Dharashiv and Nanded, to understand their problems. The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief’s Marathwada tour comes at a time when the Opposition has accused the Fadnavis government of making big announcements but failing to deliver timely relief to farmers hit by floods and crop losses.

Speaking to farmers at Ausa in Latur district, he said the state government’s announcement of Rs 31,628 crore relief package had not brought any real help. “They called it the biggest package in history, but farmers have not received any money,” Thackeray said. “Earlier, the government asked women about the benefits of the Ladki Bahin scheme. Why don’t they ask farmers what they got from this package?” he asked.

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While interacting with farmers, Thackeray even played an old audio clip of Fadnavis promising a farm loan waiver before the last election. “Fadnavis had said farmers’ loans will be wiped clean. I now challenge him.. show me one farmer whose Satbara(land records) record is cleared (free of loan) and I will give ₹2,000,” he said.

Responding to Fadnavis’s remarks that he only indulges in taunting and does not speak about development ideas, Thackeray said, “I don’t taunt anyone…I only raise farmers’ issues. Is demanding a loan waiver and ₹50,000 per hectare compensation for farmers a taunt?”

Thackeray also accused the state leadership of ignoring rural distress. “The Chief Minister is busy going to Bihar for campaigning while our farmers are suffering here. When I was CM, I worked from home but still gave loan waivers and started Shiv Bhojan Thali. They should ask why farmers are angry with them,” he added.

On Wednesday, CM Fadnavis had attacked Thackeray for using his farm tour as a political move. “Uddhavji knows nothing beyond taunting. When he was Chief Minister and farmers were in crisis, he never got off the carpet. After losing repeatedly, he now feels he must meet people,” Fadnavis said.
Fandavis had also took swipes at Uddhav saying that the Shiv Sena (UBT) chief does not speak about development ideas and if anyone shows Uddhav speaking about development, then the person would get a reward of Rs 1,000.

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He claimed that the government’s relief package is already reaching farmers directly. “Many farmers have turned away from Uddhav Thackeray because they know his visit is only for the purpose of elections,” he added.

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