Sunetra Pawar celebrates Bhau Beej with farm families in Baramati, asks about drought hardship

Deputy Chief Minister and Pune Guardian Minister Sunetra Pawar celebrated Diwali's Bhau Beej with a farming family in Baramati taluka. During the visit she asked villagers in the drought-hit area about their difficulties. She said the state government stood firmly with farmers and was acting quickly to deal with shortages of drinking water, irrigation water and fodder for animals.

Pawar appealed to farmers to plant fodder crops on as much land as possible so that there is no fodder shortage in the coming days. She also asked farmers whether they had received the Rs 5,000 aid the government had announced for Diwali. Some farmers said advance assistance, loan waiver and the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi had helped them get through the drought.

Pawar said the Supe-Saat villages water supply scheme would be completed in an effort to resolve the drinking water problem of villages in the area for good. She said, "Fulfilling Ajit Dada's dreams for the development of Baramati is the responsibility of all of us." She assured villagers that the problems of villages, including water and basic facilities, would be given priority and resolved through planning.

During the visit she praised and felicitated Shivam Nalawade, a skater from the village. Shivam has won success in competitions in Indonesia and Dehradun. Pawar said it was important to encourage talented sportspersons in villages.

Pawar then met a farming family at Ambi. When villagers at Ambi Phata demanded speed breakers, she directed the officials concerned to take the necessary action.

Villagers in the Murti area told her that about 200 stray animals within the Forest Department's limits were causing heavy damage to crops in the fields. Fodder crop and jowar seeds have now been received from the government, so farmers can sow again. But they fear losses if nothing is done about the animals. Villagers demanded that the animals be permanently relocated elsewhere.

Those present on the occasion included Sub-Divisional Officer Uttam Dighe, Tehsildar Swapnil Rawde, Someshwar Sahakari Sugar Factory chairman Rajvardhan Shinde, Sambhaji Holkar, Zilla Parishad member Rohini Kadam Dhole, Panchayat Samiti members Raosaheb Chormale, Lalaso Nalawade, Balaso Jagdale, Kiran Jagdale, Santosh Shinde and Sadashiv Sonawalkar. Officials from various departments and villagers were also with them.