Shinde warns lenders against harassing drought-hit farmers, says Diwali will not be dark

The drought situation in Maharashtra has become serious. With no rain, a severe water shortage is already being felt. Farmers are in distress and face a major crisis because their crops have failed. Farmers already weighed down by debt have also been harassed heavily for loan recovery in the state.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has spoken on the issue. He said the government stands firmly behind farmers battling the drought and will not let their Diwali be dark. Shinde was speaking to the media on Tuesday, October 27, after a Cabinet meeting.

Speaking to the media, Shinde said, "We will not let the farmers' Diwali turn dark. The government is behind the farmers troubled by drought. The state government will send a proposal to the Centre on October 31. Microfinance companies must not recover loans by force. Strict action will be taken against companies that hound farmers for loan recovery. Whether it is a moneylender or a finance company, no one will be spared."

Shinde also said that directions have been given to give priority to drinking water, and that a guaranteed price (hamibhav) will be announced for fodder cultivation. Issuing a stern warning, he said anyone who comes in the way of farmers will not be spared. He added that immediate assistance of Rs 5,000 for farmers has already been announced.

In the same press interaction, Shinde also objected to a statement made by Mallikarjun Kharge on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Warning the Congress, he said Kharge should be expelled from the party.

Shinde said, "Expel Kharge from the party. This is not Nepal or Bangladesh, this is a new India. We object to Kharge's statement on Modi. Modi is someone who unites the country, while his opponents are those who break it."

With farmers' relief on one side and political exchanges on the other, both issues figured in Shinde's press conference. Farmers across the state are now watching to see when the assurances given to them turn into actual help.