A grab of the online video shows cashews and almonds being served to ministers and legislators during a drought review meeting in Nanded on Saturday
Responding to the controversy in Mumbai, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said such arrangements should be avoided during drought-related meetings. Nobody does it deliberately, but greater sensitivity is required,” he said. “Tomorrow, they may even place dry fruits at someone’s funeral,” he said. A district collector, however, said serving dry fruits at official meetings had long been a standard practice and would now be reconsidered in view of the backlash.
The meeting was held at the Nanded collectorate. It was attended by minister of state Meghna Sakore-Bordikar, guardian minister Atul Save, MPs, MLAs and former legislators. BJP MP Ashok Chavan and Congress MP Dr Kalyan Kale joined virtually. The row triggered protests by Congress workers in Nanded, who attempted to stop Bharne’s convoy. Police took the protesters into preventive custody before releasing them later in the evening. Angry over the lack of govt assistance despite drought-like conditions, farmers in Hingoli also presented dry fruits to Bharne during his visit to assess crop damage caused by deficient rainfall. “Serving cashews and almonds at official meetings is a routine administrative practice. Such things should, however, be avoided in places facing drought conditions. Social justice minister Sanjay Shirsat also criticised the district administration for insensitivity.
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: A drought review meeting chaired by agriculture minister Datta Bharne in Nanded on Saturday sparked controversy after a video showing plates of cashews and almonds being served to ministers and legislators made its way to social media, drawing criticism over govt’s perceived insensitivity towards drought-hit farmers.