Congress's Atul Londhe says farmers get Rs 5,000 in drought while Rs 100 crore goes on BJP garba events

Farmers in the state are struggling for money because of drought, and politics has heated up over the question of relief. Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe has alleged that farmers are being given only Rs 5,000 in aid. He questioned the alleged Rs 100 crore being spent on BJP's garba events, and demanded that the government put an account of this expenditure before the public.

According to Londhe, drought-like conditions have developed in many parts of the state and farmers are in severe financial distress. Crop losses, rising costs and falling incomes have made survival a question for them. Londhe alleged that in such a situation the government is giving farmers a mere Rs 5,000. He said farmers are told there is not enough money in the fund for them while spending goes on other programmes, and he sought an answer from the government on this.

Londhe claimed that around Rs 100 crore is being spent on garba programmes of BJP leaders. He said the breakdown of spending was based on figures from contractors. He said a pandal larger than 24,000 square feet costs Rs 60 lakh. An air-conditioning system of two thousand tonnes capacity costs Rs 7 lakh a day. Sound systems, lighting and singers cost Rs 50 lakh a day. Londhe also alleged that lakhs of rupees are being spent every day on catering and the remaining decoration.

Londhe made it clear that Congress has no objection to garba or devotion to the goddess. His criticism was that farmers are in difficulty in the drought and that spending crores of rupees at such a time is not right. He recalled that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had appealed for festivals to be celebrated simply. Londhe alleged that leaders and ministers of the Chief Minister's own party are flouting this appeal. He also questioned the events of BJP state president Ravindra Chavan, Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar and MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar.

Londhe asked the Chief Minister whether responsibility for this alleged expenditure would be fixed and action taken against those concerned. He also demanded that the leaders concerned be made to resign. Londhe said the government should make its position clear to the public on spending on garba events.