Fadnavis asks every minister to spend a day of Diwali with farmers in a village

Nagpur: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said farmers in the state are facing drought-like conditions, and that supporting them and standing firmly by them is the responsibility of every section of society. According to Fadnavis, efforts are under way at the government level to help farmers. Several social organisations, groups and ordinary citizens are also coming forward to help. He said the government is trying to expand these efforts so that help reaches as many farmers as possible.

Referring to Diwali, Fadnavis said it is a festival of joy, enthusiasm and togetherness, but the present conditions are a challenge for the state's farmers. For this reason, he appealed to every minister to spend one day of Diwali in a village, celebrating the festival with farmers. He said farming families should be part of the festive joy and should feel that they are not alone.

The Chief Minister was speaking informally to journalists at Ramgiri, his official residence in Nagpur. Minister of State for Finance and Planning Ashish Jaiswal, and MLAs Sanjay Bhende, Parinay Fuke and Krishna Khopde were present with the journalists.

Fadnavis said farmers are an important pillar of the state's economy. According to him, problems in farming do not affect only farming families but also the rural economy. He therefore said that in a time of crisis it is necessary to help farmers, stand by them, and for everyone to work together to put them back on their feet.

He said all the state's ministers had been spoken to about helping farmers. The discussion considered farmers' difficulties, the support they need, and how to deliver help more effectively. Fadnavis said help should reach farmers not only through the government but also through society. According to him, the government's stance is to encourage the relief work being done by various organisations and individuals.

He expects ministers to go to villages, talk to farming families, learn about their circumstances and understand their problems. Fadnavis said sharing in farmers' joys and sorrows, giving them emotional support and looking at their questions with sensitivity could make this initiative important.

The Chief Minister said the reach of help can grow if the government, elected representatives, social organisations and citizens work together. It was in this spirit that he asked ministers to spend one day of Diwali with farmers. Fadnavis also said, "I too will go to a village in Nagpur district for a day." His appeal is that everyone together should defeat the drought.

On the occasion, the Directorate of Information and Public Relations office in Nagpur handed the Chief Minister a cheque for drought relief. The cheque represented money collected from all the office's officers and employees, and was presented through the department's director.