BJP government asked to grant relief to drought hit farmers

Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra state assembly Eknath Shinde asked the BJP government tonight to immediately sanction Rs 10,000 per acre to drought-hit farmers in the state as well as immediately declare Maharashtra as a drought-hit state.
In a release issued here today, Shinde said that like the former state government, the BJP government is engaged in bureaucratic processses, making a mockery of drought-hit farmers of the state.
Referring to a statement made by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis that panchnama would be conducted of losses and a report would be sent to the Centre after which a central team would survey these losses, Shinde said that such a process would mean that relief would come only after an inordinate delay.

Shinde said that he had toured the Marathwada region where severe water and fodder shortage prevails, even as cattle are beig sent to the slaughter house.
The government should immediately stop the recovery of loans from farmers, should not cut power supply which should be restored, if it has been disconnected, Shinde said.
He said that fodder supply centres should be set up and crop insurance money should be paid to farmers.