Maharashtra govt not doing enough for drought-hit farmers: Uddhav Thackeray

Says he will visit the areas to see ground realities

Shiv Sena, which is a junior partner in the BJP-led government in Maharashtra, has attacked the state government over the aid given to farmers hit by drought, untimely rainfall and hailstorm.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said the state government had not done enough and more relief was needed for the affected farmers. 

Thackeray, who led the party in the assembly election, said that he will soon visit the affected areas and recommend steps to the government. He however, admitted that efforts were underway to provide relief and aid to the villagers. 

This is Uddhav's first open attack against the BJP-led government. 

The state government has so far announced a Rs 7,000 crore relief package for the drought hit villages and also released another package for the villages affected due to hailstorms and untimely rainfall. 

The opposition Congress and Nationalist Congress Party had also criticised the state government for inadequate assistance and alleged that it were mere announcements as the government doesn't have the necessary funds. A senior government official admitted that the government has made the allocation of Rs 2,000 crore while it was yet to receive over Rs 4,000 crore from the Centre.

Before Shiv Sena joined the government on December 5, Uddhav after his visit to these areas in November last year, had led a scathing attack against the Devendra Fadnavis-led government, saying the BJP leaders had disappeared after the elections. 

Further, Thackeray had also urged governor C Vidyasagar Rao to lead a delgation of MLAs to drought hit areas in the state and direct the state government to take immediate measures.

The Shiv Sena is believed to be displeased with the allocation of non-lucrative ministries and inadequate representation in key government and cabinet committees.