Mumbai (Maharashtra): Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday assured help to farmers who have been affected due to flooding in the Marathwada and other regions of the state, owing to heavy downpour.
Shinde stated that the Mahayuti government has begun providing financial assistance of Rs 10,000 in cash, along with rice and wheat, to those in need of essential items in the flood-affected regions.
Reiterating the state government’s stance to support farmers in times of crisis, he informed that nearly 60 lakh hectares of land have been affected by crop damage.
“Many areas have been flooded in Maharashtra, and this is a major problem for the farmers. The rains are unprecedented. At this time, the government stands with the farmers as it has done before. The cabinet discussed the issue. Given the crisis, the government will continue to help farmers. There has been crop damage to nearly 60 lakh hectares of land. In the next 2-3 days, we will have the full data of damaged crops and these things,” Shinde, who is also the Shiv Sena chief, said while addressing a press conference here.
“In the cabinet meeting, we also discussed that we will help farmers without paying heed to terms and conditions. It is the responsibility of the government to help farmers in such a crisis. In the coming days, we (I, Maharashtra CM and Deputy CM Ajit Dada) will sit together and take a decision for farmers (to recover damages),” he added.
The Deputy CM further discussed the loss of human lives and damage to crops, land, and houses, some of which are still underwater due to floods and heavy rains.
“There have been damages to crops, land and houses. There has also been a loss of cattle and human lives. Even now, some houses are underwater. I am repeating that the government will not hesitate to help farmers. We have also requested the Union Home Minister and the Prime Minister to help farmers. We have seen that the centre has stood behind farmers and we expect the same this time too,” Shinde said.
Apprising the mediapersons of the efforts of the Mahayuti government in providing essential items to those in need, Shinde appealed to the opposition to join hands with the government in assisting people.
“Those who are in need of essential items immediately, the government has started to help the affected with Rs 10,000 cash, along with rice, wheat, etc. I appeal to everyone in government and opposition to come together to help the affected farmers and common people across Maharashtra,” the Deputy CM said.
“We must take care of cleanliness at the affected spots so they to avoid any infectious diseases in those areas. We are trying to place medical camps and a team of doctors to avoid any outbreak in those areas,” he added.
Speaking about the upcoming Dussehra rally, Shinde instructed Shiv Sena workers in various parts of the state, except for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), to visit areas affected by the floods to assist the people instead of coming to Mumbai.
“We will call our Shiv Sena workers of Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) only for the Dussehra rally, and workers from other regions will try to help the farmers and others in flood-affected areas. We have always been about 80 per cent social work and 20 per cent politics. This is the time for doing social work and helping the people,” the Deputy CM said.
“We will hold our Dussehra rally in NESCO (indoor space),” he added.
A political controversy erupted over Shinde’s photo appearing on the relief material for flood victims, with opposition criticising the Deputy CM.
Reacting to this, he said, “They saw the photo, but not the relief material. This is no reason to engage in politics. Workers often paste photos of their leaders. Those who are criticising us for putting photos, I want to tell them that their photos were also on the relief materials distributed earlier.”
(With inputs from ANI)
