Union Home Minister Amit Shah Sunday told the Devendra Fadnavis-led Mahayuti government in Maharashtra to send a detailed report about the damage caused by the recent floods in Marathwada and other parts of the state. Shah said that once the report is received, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will extend help to the flood-affected farmers without any delay. The Home Minister was speaking at Ahilyanagar, where he had reached on Saturday. On Sunday, Shah first visited the temple town of Shirdi and offered prayers. In Loni, Shah inaugurated the statues of Dr Vitthalrao Vikhe-Patil, the former Union Minister and the doyen of the cooperative sector, and Balasaheb Vikhe-Patil. He also inaugurated the extension plant of Dr Vitthalrao Vikhe-Patil Cooperative Sugar Factory at Pravaranagar . Shah said floods and excess rainfall have caused widespread damage to crops and homes in Maharashtra. “Crop on more than 60 lakh hectares of farm land has been damaged. The central government has already given Rs 3,132 crore to the state government as part of its share for 2025-26. Of these, Rs 1,631 crore was given in April,” he added. The Union minister noted that the Maharashtra Government was also taking all measures to extend help to the flood-affected farmers. “Maharashtra Government has already released Rs 2,215 crore in assistance… The government has also directed banks to stop collecting loan EMIs from farmers for a few months,” he said. Referring to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar as “trimurtis” of Maharashtra government, Shah said that are not “'baniyas” but they are stronger than the “'baniyas”. “I was invited here to inaugurate the statue of Dr Vithalrao Vikhe-Patil. And I was asked at a meeting as to what help the central government will extend to the flood-affected Maharashtra. During the meeting with Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, I, on behalf of the Prime Minister, promised them that the central government will extend all help, but the state government should send a detailed report about the loss suffered by the people. Prime Minister Modi will ensure that there is not even a small delay in extending the help. This is because the people of Maharashtra have elected a government which is working for the interest of farmers,” the home minister said. Shah also that sugar production during the tenure of PM Modi has increased by 10 lakh tonnes. “Sugar production has gone up, distilleries have doubled, ethanol production has jumped and ethanol blending with petrol has gone up by 20 per cent,” he said. Shah also urged the sugar factories convert their ethanol plants into multi-feed ethanol plants. Praising the work done by Dr Vithalrao Vikhe-Patil, Shah said at the sugar factory launch event, “Today, I am in Pravanagar. This area has a special significance as it is the home of the cooperative sector. This is because of stalwarts like Dr Vitthalrao Vikhe-Patil, who dedicated his entire life to the welfare of the farmers,” Referring to the change of name of districts Ahmednagar to Ahilyanagar to and Aurangabad to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, the Union minister said, “This can be done only by the disciples of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Those who follow Aurangzeb would not dare to change the name of Aurangabad to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar.” In his address, Fadnavis said that no matter how much some people criticise his government, it won’t bother them. “We have not been sent here to break chairs but to serve the farmers,” he said. Stating that his government was firmly behind farmers at a time when some people “were playing politics”, the chief minister said, “A big tragedy has befallen our farmers but some people are trying to play politics. But our government is strongly behind the farmers.” Meanwhile, NCP (S-P) chief Sharad Pawar urged the state government to send the detailed proposal within the next two days. “I have spoken to the Central Government regarding the financial assistance to those affected by floods. The Central Government told me that the state government has not sent the final proposal to it so far. Therefore, I want to urge the state government to send the detailed proposal within the next two days,” he said. Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar said, “He (Amit Shah) would be coming and attending some inauguration function and leaving without giving anything. This will not provide any relief to the farmers. The government should act responsibly. He should announce the relief for farmers.” Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut alleged that Sena UBT and MNS party workers were arrested ahead of the visit of the Union home minister to Ahilyanagar. “Some of our party workers were arrested, and some were given notice,” he alleged.
