Will halt loan recovery and restructure farm debt during drought, says Deputy CM Shinde in Parbhani

Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde on Tuesday assured that poor farmers and "Ladki Bahin" beneficiaries in the state would not be left to fend for themselves in the drought. He was speaking at a Shiv Sena rally at Gandhi Park ground in Parbhani district. He said the government would not hold back in helping farmers.

Shinde said loan recovery from farmers would be halted during the crisis, their loans would be restructured and arrangements would be made for fodder. He also pledged that the Shiv Sena would do "100 per cent social work" for farmers in the crisis.

To mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 25 years of service, the Shiv Sena will hold a "Seva Se Samarpan" felicitation yatra across the state. It began in Parbhani district. At the event, Shinde distributed 2,500 bicycles to farmers' children and 2,500 sewing machines to "Ladki Bahin" beneficiaries.

Shinde said he was aware that the drought loomed over the state and that the "Ladka Bhau" and "Ladki Bahin" were in distress. He said the party had resolved that, through the Shiv Sena, farmers and their families must be given some help and support in this hour. He said 25,000 bicycles, 25,000 sewing machines, "Anandacha Shidha" (festive ration kits) for farmers and other essential items would be distributed during the yatra, and mass weddings would be organised. He assured that, despite the drought, the Diwali of the state's farmers would not be allowed to turn dark.

Shinde said the Prime Minister had held a one-hour discussion with him despite a busy schedule, half of which was on the drought in the state and the "Ladki Bahin" scheme. The Prime Minister promised all possible help, he said.

Calling the drought crisis a big one, Shinde said the state government had always stood behind farmers and had never abandoned them. The government has now declared a drought, he said. The entire state Cabinet went to the fields, heard farmers' grievances and worked to reassure them, he said.

Shinde said the farmer was the party's focal point. He appealed to all political parties to work together to help farmers back on their feet without playing politics. There were other platforms for politics, he said, but in this crisis the Shiv Sena would do not 80 per cent but 100 per cent social work. He also urged farmers not to give up or lose heart in this testing time.

Shinde further said the country had been moving towards becoming an economic superpower since 2014. He said Prime Minister Modi had taken India's economy from 10th place to fourth. He said Modi was working with a "Nation First" approach. Modi has completed 25 years in public life, from Chief Minister to Prime Minister, and did not waver however many allegations the Opposition made, Shinde said. Deputy Chief Minister Shinde also said that after the Pahalgam attack, India under Prime Minister Modi's leadership gave Pakistan a firm reply through "Operation Sindoor".