Drought-hit farmers to get Rs 5,000 advance aid before Diwali, says Eknath Shinde

The government has extended a helping hand so that farmers battered by drought do not look worried even during the Diwali festival. The cabinet has decided that drought-hit farmers will get the benefit of all the concessions applicable to them, and in addition will be given an advance aid of Rs 5,000 before Diwali.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said this at Kharadi in Pune, where he was speaking at the bhoomipujan ceremony of a project called Venkatesh Vanaya. Shinde assured that farmers' Diwali would not be a dark one.

Shinde said farmers would get substantial help from the Central government as well, along with the state government's aid. According to him, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have given assurances in this regard. He also said the state government has been pursuing the Centre continuously for help.

Speaking to reporters, Shinde said, "The farmer is our annadata and the centre of everything. The government will not hold back its hand while giving him help. We will not leave the farmer helpless."

Shinde also accused the Opposition of misleading the public through a "fake narrative". He also targeted the Opposition over talk of holding a march against the highest judiciary. Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, Shinde said, "Those who invoke the Constitution should respect the institutions created by the Constitution."

Shinde also said India's economy is growing rapidly under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the country is moving towards becoming an economic superpower. He remarked that this progress is irking some people. Shinde expressed confidence that the public would foil attempts to malign India.

Shinde said drought-hit farmers would receive support from both the state and the Centre, and that the cabinet has already decided to put the advance of Rs 5,000 in their hands before Diwali.