Hitting out at Uddhav Thackeray over his statement that farmers in drought-affected areas are not getting sanctioned financial aid, state Agriculture Minister Eknath Khadse today said he would have provided all facts regarding the disbursal had the Shiv Sena president sought details from him.
"If Uddhav Thackeray had sought details of the financial assistance being provided (to farmers), I would have given all details," Khadse said.
Thackeray, who toured drought-hit areas in Marathwada recently, had yesterday said that the sanctioned financial assistance was not reaching affected farmers.
Khadse said that 1.37 crore agriculturists have opened their bank accounts under Prime Minister's "Jan Dhan Yojana" and that the financial assistance is being directly deposited in the bank accounts of the farmers concerned.
"This procedure is being followed in the last eight months," Khadse said.
The minister said the Centre has provided an assistance of Rs 1600 crore as part of the drought relief measures in last one year.
"Under the Disaster Relief Fund, Rs 920 crore has already been given to the state," Khadse said, adding that he had requested Union government to release the balance of nearly Rs 3000 crore out of the total package of Rs 4000 crore without delay.
BJP sources said Shah considers allegations against
Khadse "serious" and political rivals were cusing them to put the party in the dock over its claim of providing "corruption-free" government.
Khadse is in a spot over the purchase of 3-acre Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation land in Bhosari allegedly at a low price of around Rs 3.75 crore from its original owner in the name of his wife and son-in-law. The market value of the land is reportedly Rs 40 crore.
However, the political stature of Khadse, an OBC leader who was a strong contender for the chief minister's post, is also weighing in the mind of the party's leadership before any action could be taken against him.
He has insisted that he has done no wrong.
Sources said the two options being considered are either dropping him from the ministry or shifting him to a low profile portfolio.
A section of party leaders believe that shifting him to another department may be seen as merely a cosmetic exercise.
