Fadnavis defends Rs 5,000 advance aid for drought-hit farmers, hits back at Congress over Karnataka

Amravati: Maharashtra faces a severe drought this year and the government has already begun water cuts. Water and fodder for livestock are expected to become a major problem in the coming period. Against this backdrop, the government has declared drought in 306 talukas and crop damage assessments (panchnamas) have also been carried out.

Ahead of Diwali, advance aid of Rs 5,000 was announced for drought-hit farmers. The Opposition is criticising the government, asking whether Diwali can be celebrated on Rs 5,000 and what Rs 5,000 can achieve. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has responded.

Fadnavis said advance aid has been given to farmers for the first time, and that in the state's history money has never been received before December. He said the "India Rep" law made it possible to pay now, that the government found a way through it and gave Rs 5,000. He said that so far the minimum amount has been Rs 1,000. He said even the farmer with the smallest landholding will get at least Rs 5,000. The Chief Minister said the rest will receive the remaining money when compulsion arrives.

Citing the example of Karnataka, Fadnavis said the neighbouring state of Karnataka has an equally severe drought, but it paid Rs 2,500 there. He said Congress leaders ask why no GR is being issued, but after Karnataka issued its GR they are now keeping silent. The Chief Minister thus hit back at Congress over the criticism on drought.

Fadnavis said that in Maharashtra the government has given Rs 5,000, that the farmers' suffering is great and that Rs 5,000 is not a big sum compared with that suffering. But he said farmers will get some help. He said that when the government gave Rs 1,500 to the Ladki Bahin beneficiaries, these same Congress people, as Opposition leaders, found fault with it. He said just as the Ladki Bahin beneficiaries knew the value of Rs 1,500, farmers know the value of Rs 5,000. Fadnavis also attacked critics, saying those who live in big bungalows and ride in big cars cannot understand the value of Rs 5,000.

On the finance minister's post: MLA Rohit Pawar had made a statement about the finance portfolio. Rohit Pawar had said the BJP will not give the finance portfolio to Sunetra Pawar. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responded to this. Fadnavis said, "We have discussed it, we will see."