Nagpur: Maharashtra revenue minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Monday said the drought crisis could be worse than Covid-19, with the list of 265 drought-hit talukas most likely to be expanded.
Bawankule, who chairs the 11-minister cabinet sub-committee on drought, was addressing party workers in Nagpur and advising them to curtail celebrations for the next eight months. He recalled the party’s relief work during the Covid-19 pandemic. You are already aware many talukas are in the list and this situation won’t get any better,” said Bawankule.
All crops will take a hit,” said Bawankule. “We will have to replicate the same service in the drought crisis,” he said. This is not right,” he said.
“As drought progresses, a bigger crisis will come upon Maharashtra. In fact, the crisis will be bigger than the pandemic. There will be a shortage of water and fodder. You will see kharif and rabi wrecked. Party workers, who had gathered to rally for the BJP candidate for graduate constituency poll, Sudhakar Kohale, were directed to tone down jubilation. “MLC polls have come at a time when Maharashtra faces a severe drought. The election campaigns should be low key. “We should not do the regular bouquet and garland welcome ceremonies and felicitations. Even birthday celebrations can wait for the next eight months. On the ground, we have to be sensitive to what is happening around us. we are standing with coconuts and bouquets in our hands, honouring each other While a farmer is dying by suicide.