Harshwardhan Sapkal
Dattatray Bharne, said the declaration of drought was imminent, Sapkal said, “Farmers are in extreme distress but the govt is not showing any seriousness While the state agriculture minister. It is a warning to the govt,” Sapkal said. The administration is not doing any work to provide relief, while the govt is busy shielding the officials. If drought is not declared in next few days, ministers will not be allowed to roam freely in the state.
Pune: State Congress chief Harshwardhan Sapkal on Monday said the opposition party would not allow ministers to roam around freely in the state if drought was not announced soon.
He said, “The govt made a provision of Rs80,000 crore for Shaktipeeth highway and Rs36,000 crore for Kumbh Mela, where reports of corruption have been coming out. He said, “The survey as per the NDRF norms will start from Oct 5, but we will not wait till that time. Former Union agriculture minister and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar has called a meeting of party functionaries on Sept 28 in Mumbai to plan a statewide tour to review the drought-like situation.
Sapkal said, “We demand the govt to announce Rs1 lakh per hectare assistance, along with complete waiver of farm loan. Shinde said, “Since the situation in Marathwada and Vidarbha is extremely serious, Pawar Saheb will join the protest at one of these regions to raise the voice for the farming community.” The Congress state chief claimed that the policy of the govt had been anti-farmer. But it is not ready to make any provisions for farmers, struggling with each passing day. If the govt announces insufficient aid, we will launch a statewide agitation. State agriculture minister Bharne assured that the state govt would provide required assistance to farmers without waiting for Centre’s package. We are reviewing the situation of every tehsil. The situation in Marathwada and Vidarbha is quite grim, and the govt will help every farmer in distress. All district and tehsil chiefs of the party will attend it. He will take updates of every district to understand the severity of drought. Based on the updates, a statewide agitation would be planned to draw the attention of state govt towards the serious issue.
State NCP (SP) chief Shashikant Shinde on Monday said, “Pawar will chair the meeting in Mumbai.